What is the future of railways in Zagreb?

Zagreb

Is there potential to revitalise Zagreb’s railway system and adopt modern solutions similar to those in other European cities? Plans by the city authorities in collaboration with the state were discussed in the programme City Matters.

Although one in three Croatians lives in Zagreb, the nation’s capital struggles with the decline of its railway system, according to Nikša Božić, director of the City Institute for Spatial Planning, HRT reported.

“After a hundred years, the direct train connection with Vienna has been discontinued. What we had since the railway first arrived in Zagreb, we no longer have.”

This is the result of decades of neglect in railway infrastructure, highlighted Darko Barišić, a board member of HŽ Infrastructure. However, Croatian Railways is currently working on 44 projects across the country.

“The goal is for residents from places like Novska, Zaprešić, Karlovac, and other towns forming a ring around Zagreb to be able to reach the city centre by train within an hour, leaving their cars on the outskirts.

One of the major initiatives involves completing a project by 2027 that will allow trains to travel from Zagreb to Split in just four and a half hours.”

In Zagreb, priority is being given to renovating the main railway station building, lowering the tracks to separate them from road traffic, and redeveloping the Gredelj site, Božić explained.

“Europe is becoming increasingly interconnected, and railway stations are evolving into crucial urban hubs, designed through international competitions. These stations are no longer just transit points but places of commerce and social interaction.

First and foremost, we need to consider the long-term position of railway tracks within the city centre and their elevation so we can begin developing projects to connect Donji Grad and Trnje – something that has been under discussion since the late 19th century.”

Zagreb main station

While plans for a new station are still in the conceptual phase, current projects are progressing, Barišić emphasised.

“We have started work on the Sesvetska Sela station, and Borongaj will be completed within the next two years. In addition to the Zagreb junction bypass, our next project will be the upgrade of the single-track railway between Hrvatski Leskovac and the main station.”

A study has also been commissioned to explore linking the city centre with the airport.

The European Union recognises the importance of such projects, so funding is unlikely to be an issue – though meeting deadlines for these large-scale projects remains a challenge.