As of midnight, “Serbian Railways” successfully adopted new Timetable, which will come into force as of December 9, 2007, till December 13, 2008. New railway service organization will be applied at all European railway enterprises.

“Serbian Railways” Director General, Milanko Sarancic, with his associates, visited Belgrade Railway Center to check personally all preparations for new timetable application. Serbian railways’ Management visited Marshalling Yard in Makis, Remote Control Center in Topcider and Central Railway Station in Belgrade, attending also the presentation on some new passenger services: Internet Seat Reservation and SMS Timetable.

– Passing to the new Timetable, with all improvements, is one more reason for us to be satisfied with results. In 2007, we achieved a lot, and fulfilled the plan. We recorded particularly good results in freight transport section; according to foreign currency incomes, we are one of the most successful service-providing companies in Serbia – said Milanko Sarancic.
He emphasized that for the first time, Serbian Railways have enough traction units for new timetable, announcing provision of new locomotives, passenger and freight wagons during the next year. Management Board has already made decisions, and realization is expected in 2008.

– We will procure ten new multi-system locomotives. Tender for the procurement of the first three will be announced soon. Provision of new locomotives, as well as other activities, will enable us to have competitive and quality transport service in the future, particularly after Serbian rails become open for foreign railway operators – said Sarancic and emphasized significant assistance, provided by the State, principally through state bounds for international loans, development plans and investments. Besides, like for the past three years, in 2007,”Serbian Railways” will again achieve incomes higher than the state subsidies.

Sarancic specified that “Serbian Railways” should make prompt integration into the modern international transport system, and become “the railway leader” in Balkans and Southeast Europe, with all their qualities, capacities, knowledge and potentials.

– Numerous projects successfully realized so far, as well as the future ones, give us plenty of reasons to be optimistic in 2008. I am convinced that forthcoming years are the years of development, intensive modernization and global progress, leading to modern European railway system – concluded Sarancic.