Serbia Voz Releases Faulty Passenger Cars Into Service

A significant issue has arisen involving the Serbian railway company, Serbia Voz, which has been accused of allowing faulty passenger cars to operate on its rail network. The cars, lacking a functional heating system, were put into service despite concerns raised by Željeznice Crne Gore (ŽPCG), the Montenegrin railway authority responsible for railway transport in Montenegro.

According to a statement from ŽPCG, the responsibility for the technical condition of passenger cars falls to their owner, in this case, Serbia Voz, particularly when the journey begins in Belgrade. The company clarified that it does not hold the authority to remove trains from service while they are on the territory of the Republic of Serbia.

Under existing international railway agreements, the owner of the train is accountable for its technical safety and basic maintenance. Control and operation of the trains must adhere to the regulations of the country where the service occurs. While these passenger cars are operating within Serbia, only Serbian railway authorities, including Serbia Voz and Infrastruktura železnice Srbije, have the jurisdiction to make decisions regarding their operation.

Once the train reaches its destination in Bar, Montenegro, the relevant authorities in Montenegro may take action in accordance with domestic regulations. ŽPCG emphasized that this is not the first instance of technically faulty cars being allowed into service. The organization highlighted that Montenegrin authorities have previously warned against this practice and have called for strict adherence to safety and technical standards.

In response to these events, ŽPCG expressed strong disapproval of any attempts to shift responsibility for such oversights onto the Montenegrin side. They noted that in this particular case, Serbia Voz did not seek an official position from the relevant authorities before disseminating information to the media.

The situation raises significant concerns regarding railway safety and operational standards within the region. As issues of this nature continue to emerge, it becomes increasingly important for railway operators to prioritize safety and compliance with established regulations to protect passengers and maintain public trust in rail transport systems.