The high-speed train service, dubbed Soko (or Falcon) connecting Belgrade and Novi Sad was launched on 19 March. It carried more than three hundred thousand passengers by the end of May, and interest was so huge that the promotional period was extended and new services have been introduced. Figures clearly show the need for the development of north-south transport corridors, which will not only offer more comfortable travel to passengers but also give a boost to the economy.

Rediscovering train travel

Serbia has managed to show a new face, Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Tomislav Momirovic said, speaking about the upgraded railway line. Railway stations have come to life again, he said, adding that thanks to the promotional period people have begun to rediscover rail travel, which has become rather unpopular in recent years. In a statement in late May, he announced that they were working to introduce new discount packages, for example, for pensioners and students. Targeting the latter group of passengers is important, as both Belgrade and Novi Sad are university cities, and the Falcon allows students to visit their families more frequently without wasting their precious time by riding old bumpy trains. The minister stressed the importance of people taking full advantage of rail transport, as well as being aware that every single dinar they spend on tickets is also an investment in constructing new lines and purchasing additional trains.

Photo: Instagram

Authorities to enhance surveillance

Tomislav Momirovic also underlined that the security surveillance of trains will be enhanced in the future. This is necessary, he explained, because at the end of May, unknown persons pelted the Falcon with stones, causing damage to the train. Police are looking for the perpetrators. The minister asked passengers to pay due care as the trains are the common property of all and are operated for the benefit of all.

„This is not the first time that trains and buses have been damaged with stones in Serbia. Let me remind citizens that the country is not that rich, we can’t afford this. We’re putting a lot of effort into keeping ticket prices low, this is not the kind of news we want to hear,”

said the minister, voicing his outrage.

The future begins

The construction, transport and infrastructure minister highly appreciated that more than 300 thousand people had bought tickets for the new train service in its first, little over two months. He called the result an incredible achievement. He also highlighted that 150 engineers had been lured back to Serbia to build the railway section. „The rail link between Belgrade and Novi Sad is the most advanced infrastructure in Eastern Europe, and we are proceeding further on,” he said, referring to the expected extension of the line to Nis, south of Belgrade, and to Hungary’s capital Budapest.

„Railway in Serbia will be comparable to Switzerland or Germany. We need just a few more years to achieve this,”

the minister said.

Amidst the Russia-Ukraine war and sanctions, north-south transport corridors are becoming more important as a large part of freight traffic may shift over to new transport routes. Connection with Greek ports is expected to play a much greater role than the east-bound corridors.

The first completed section of the Budapest-Belgrade high-speed rail link is the 75km-long Belgrade-Novis Sad line. Construction began in 2017, 138 years after laying the first tracks. Thanks to the new tracks and the state-of-the-art Stadler trains, the distance between the two cities can be covered in roughly half an hour, with trains travelling at speeds reaching two hundred kilometers per hour. This is currently the fastest train service in south-east Europe, officials say. The double-decker trains have more than 300 passenger seats, mini bars and free of charge internet access. Intercity services run with only one stop, while Express and Regio trains can be boarded at seven stations, with travel time taking slightly longer, 48 and 58 minutes, respectively.

Photo: Facebook

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also boarded the train on its maiden journey. The Serbian head of state said: „This train will bring the friendship between Serbs and Hungarians even closer. Budapest will be just over two and a half hours away. This is a historic moment.” Until now the physical distance between Hungarians and Serbs has been a barrier, and the two governments are now working to build links between north and south, PM Orban pointed out, adding that together with the Serbian president, they have done much to promote friendship between the two peoples.

Photo: Pannon RTV

The Serbs carried out the construction, an investment of 915 million dollars, with Russian and Chinese loans. In addition to the railway tracks, 120 buildings, underpasses and overpasses were built and several railway stations were renovated.

First a tourist attraction, then part of everyday life

The Falcon was available at a discounted price during the first weeks, as a kind of promotional period. The price of just 300 dinars, or about 2.5 euros, attracted a lot of visitors, and children up to the age of seven could travel for free. Besides the residents of the two cities, young people, families and nostalgic elderly couples from other parts of the country also came to take a test ride, take photos and videos on the Falcon. The demand was so intense that a few days after the train service was launched, transport authorities had to add new weekend services to the schedule, and reservation became a must as – without pre-booking one’s train tickets – there was no chance to get on the train. On some days, more than 13,000 tickets were sold.

Photo: Instagram

Travelogues – as well as travellers’ blogs and vlogs – were swift to inundate the press and social media. According to one passenger, the railway „looks world class. The only problem is that it’s too fast. If you are in no hurry, just want to enjoy the scenery, you will be disappointed, because everything just passes so quickly,” a woman told BBC Serbia on her first trip on the high-speed train between Belgrade and her hometown Novi Sad.

„It’s not just about speed, it’s also about comfort. There is a mini-bar where you can order coffee, soft drinks, fast food – if that even fits into the half-hour trip… Oftentimes when you invite someone for a coffee, you realise that you’ve already made it to Belgrade from Novi Sad,” said an enthusiastic reporter from Pannon RTV, which provided live coverage during one of the first journeys of the train.

„I’m absolutely blown away. Everything works at the touch of a button, departure and arrival on time, both the coffee and the hot chocolate were really good. I haven’t even finished my drink and we arrived. If you can, try the new railway,” an influencer promoting travel in Serbia posted on Instagram.

Photo: Instagram

The initial momentum of tourists is still palpable, and it is still difficult to find available dates. However, the operator, the Serbian railway company, has decided to extend the promotion period for a second time, so from 1 June, tickets for the Falcon will still be available at a discounted price. The original ticket price of 300 dinars has, however, been increased to 400 (just over 3 euros). A return ticket costs 620 dinars.

The high-speed rail is also beginning to show its economic benefits. In addition to being a tourist attraction, it is also a great help for workers commuting between the two cities. People doing business no longer have to worry about being stuck in traffic jams on the motorway or when they try to leave or enter cities. Thanks to the rail link, which is punctual, they can better manage their time. What’s more, the train is no longer a dirty, uncomfortable place, but so modern and stylish that you can hold business meetings on the go, and thanks to quality internet access, you can also work while travelling. Moreover, the Express and Regio services also stop in smaller towns and cities between Belgrade and Novi Sad, which makes them an ideal service to deliver workers to work and then back home swiftly and conveniently, without traffic jams.

Photo: Instagram

In response to increased economic demand, the railway company developed a special seasonal ticket for commuters. A monthly ticket of 6,800 dinars (58 euros) would not even cover a tank of petrol due to the increased fuel prices, meaning families could save a significant amount, 48 per cent based on the daily ticket price. In addition, this amount applies to the longest section, 75 kilometres, so those travelling from a small town will pay less. Rail is also known to be one of the most environmentally friendly options and helps to reduce traffic, which is particularly important for a city the size of Belgrade, or Novi Sad. Passengers can book tickets for the Falcon online, and the mobile app provides them with an additional 5% discount.