Macedonian Railways-Transport has signed an agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) over the procurement of five new cargo locomotives, we are working with the World Bank on the procurement of new trains, whereas the first line of the City Train will be operational as of September 1, Macedonian Deputy PM and Transport Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski said in an interview.
Deputy PM Nikoloski says in Kurir’s podcast the City Train is one of the most significant projects of the Ministry of Transport, although not large in volume.
“It will help a lot in reducing pollution in Skopje, change the way of life in suburban settlements, and usher in the culture of using a train rather than a car. And most importantly, these are projects that are characteristic of the largest European cities. We are using the existing infrastructure and upgrading it. We are already in an advanced stage of the line Zelenikovo-Drachevo-Lisiche-Kisela Voda-Aerodrom-Skopje Railway station. It should be completed by the end of June and the line will be operational as of September 1,” noted Nikoloski.
“We are working together with the Faculty of Architecture on the projects for the other two lines – Skopje Railway Station-Butel-Skopje Sever-Gjorche Petrov and Skopje Railway Station-Avtokomanda-Madzhari-Ilinden – with the tender to be announced in the second half of 2026. I expect them to be completed by the end of 2027 or the onset of 2028. This, along with the 100 electric buses for Skopje this fall, will have a big impact on reducing the city pollution,” added Deputy PM Nikoloski.
