28 November 2024
Szeged – Subotica Infosheet
An infosheet on the revitalisation of the rail line between the border towns of Hungary and Serbia
Szeged - Subotica Factsheet
On November 28th 2023, after nine years of suspension and construction, the train line between Szeged 🇭🇺 and Subotica 🇷🇸 has re-opened. Originally scheduled to open on October 23rd 2023, the line was delayed due to poor communication about the state of construction on the Hungarian side.
The facts:
Subotica, Serbia
Population 94,000 (6th largest in Serbia)
30% of the population are ethnic Hungarians
Direct train services to:
IC: Novi Sad – Belgrade (opening 2025)
RE: Sombor – Novi Sad
RE: Zrenjanin
RE: Kikinda
Szeged, Hungary
Population 160,000 (3rd largest in Hungary)
Catchment area of 240,000
Has a small tram network and a tram train to Hódmezővásárhely
Direct train services to:
IC: Kecskemét – Cegléd – Budapest
RE: Békéscsaba
RE: Orosháza
RE: Kiskunfélegyháza
Why is a service necessary?
Arguments for establishing said service mainly include cross border demand from Serbia, with ethnic Hungarians working or studying in Szeged, and local cross border trade between the regions. Furthermore, boosting local tourism and linking to existing and future IC lines present other key arguments for the line.
Proposed Metrics
Opening: 23.10.2023
Travel time: 40 minutes
Operating speed: 120 km/h on the entire line
Electrification: on the entire line
Border check: In Szeged
Realised Metrics
Opening: 28.11.2023
Travel time: 75 minutes (on average)
Operating speed: 100 km/h in Serbia, 80 km/h in Hungary
Electrification: only in Serbia
Border check: In Horgoš/Rözske
Other Metrics
Ticket price: approx. 6 EUR one way (international journeys sold only by MÁV)
Operated by: Srbijavoz & MÁV
Frequency: 5 daily connections in each direction
Issues & Communication
The opened rail line does not reflect the metrics set out by the original project. Due to the lack of border check points at station, travel time is prolonged, and due to a lack of electrification and a lower permitted operating speed on the upgraded line, trains are slower.
Srbijavoz published an opening announcement five days before the original opening date and were only informed later of incomplete elements on the Hungarian side, which caused the opening to be delayed. The public was not informed of this delay.
Benefits one year in
The connection has allowed for the re-introduction of cross border services between Serbia and Hungary and will be a temporary link between Belgrade and Budapest, until the new proposed mainline opens (expected by 2026). No numbers have been published in terms of ridership and success.