Passengers used to breakdowns and delays: Who is to blame for the state of the railway?

In the previous days, it was painful to travel by train. Unfortunately, passengers are used to breakdowns and delays of several hours.

The secretary of the representative Union of Railway Transport, Mirko Rmandić, blames the railway infrastructure for the problems on the railway in the past few days, while he accuses the state of a stepmotherly attitude towards the railways.

Railway transport announced that the trains are running according to the timetable, as well as that the changed timetable is effective from today.

"The main culprit is the railway infrastructure, because specifically yesterday we had a traffic interruption between the Mijatovo kolo station and Mojkovac, due to the interruption of the REZ contact network. Due to the works that the Railway Infrastructure is carrying out on the railway from Bijelo Polje to Bar, we have come to such a situation that our passengers do not reach their destinations on time," Rmandić told TV Vijesti.

The representative Union of Railway Transport cites another example.

"For the last few days, we had a problem with voltage oscillations on the stretch from Virpazar to Zeta, there was some damage to our rolling stock, which is a big question mark. I am of the opinion that an independent commission should be formed to investigate these causes, because this has been happening for the last few days all on the same stretch."

The Railway Infrastructure did not answer our questions until the end of working hours, but they promised to do so tomorrow. And from the Railway Transport, they state that the trains are running according to the timetable today.

"The modified timetable entered into force today. It was initiated in order to reduce train delays caused by the track overhaul works in the Sozina tunnel."

Rmandić believes that both the Ministry of Transport and the Government are to blame. He reminds that last year at this time they had a warning strike.

"One of the requests was the provision of funds in the budget for 2017 for the renewal of rolling stock and traction equipment. They knew the complete situation, both with the infrastructure and with rolling stock and traction equipment, they should have behaved in a more adequate way towards the railway system. I think that the Government of Montenegro and the relevant Ministry are behaving in a step-motherly manner towards the railways."

Despite all the problems, the Railways say they have something to brag about.

"If we were these days, regardless of all the inconveniences the passengers experienced, if our trains were full, if there was not a single free seat from the direction of Belgrade," added Rmandić.

Rmandić, as an experienced railway worker, says that he will do everything to ensure that passengers reach their destinations safely, comfortably and on time.