The exact launch date will depend on the issuance of operational permits, which remain a prerequisite for opening the line.
Progress on infrastructure completion
The 108.7 km long Novi Sad–Subotica railway is divided into 15 sections. Physical works on the track, including the upper and lower structures, rail installation, and signalling and telecommunication systems, are reported as fully completed. The line features 73 engineering structures that have also been completed.
Station buildings along the corridor are still undergoing verification. Of the 12 stations on the route, five — including the major stations in Novi Sad and Subotica — are subject to additional inspections to ensure that they meet safety standards before final permits can be issued.
Structural checks and administrative procedures
A detailed structural assessment is underway at the Subotica station, which is registered as a protected cultural heritage site. Underground tunnels and cellars, not included in the original project documentation, were discovered during the inspection process. This has required adjustments to both the technical and legal documentation.
Operational permits will be requested for each section as it becomes fully ready. The issuance of these permits will determine the sequence and timeline of the line’s entry into service.
Border procedures under review
As the line is part of an international railway corridor, discussions are ongoing with Hungarian authorities regarding potential adjustments to passport control procedures. Negotiations include options to move border checks to Belgrade or Budapest, or to conduct them onboard during the journey, with the aim of reducing stop times at the border.
The Novi Sad–Subotica section connects to the previously opened Belgrade–Novi Sad high-speed line, which has been in operation since March 2022. The cross-border rail connection is part of the larger Belgrade–Budapest corridor.
