Serbia Voz Faces Scrutiny for Operating Faulty Passenger Cars

The railway company Serbia Voz has been criticized for operating faulty passenger cars that lack a functional heating system. This issue has sparked a response from Željeznički prevoz Crne Gore (ŽPCG), which oversees railway transport in Montenegro. They emphasized that Serbia Voz is responsible for the technical safety of the passenger cars when departing from Belgrade.

ŽPCG stated that their jurisdiction does not extend to withdrawing these cars from service while they are in the Republic of Serbia. According to international railway agreements, the owner is accountable for the technical soundness and maintenance of the passenger cars. Control and operation during transport fall under the regulations of the country where the cars are currently operating. Therefore, while the cars remain in Serbia, only the Serbian railway authorities, including Serbia Voz and Infrastruktura železnice Srbije, have the authority to decide on their operation.

Once the train arrives at its destination in Bar, Montenegro, the relevant Montenegrin authorities can take actions in accordance with local regulations. ŽPCG highlighted that this is not the first incident involving the operation of technically deficient cars. They pointed out that Montenegrin authorities have raised concerns multiple times regarding this practice, calling for strict adherence to safety and technical standards.

ŽPCG expressed their discontent with attempts to shift responsibility for such oversights onto the Montenegrin side. They noted the importance of obtaining an official stance from relevant Serbian authorities before disseminating information to the media.

The ongoing situation raises significant concerns about railway safety and the responsibilities of transport operators in ensuring that all vehicles meet necessary technical standards before being put into service. As the matter unfolds, scrutiny on the practices of Serbia Voz is likely to increase, particularly in light of the potential risks to passenger safety.

ŽPCG remains vigilant and advocates for enhanced compliance with international railway standards to prevent similar incidents in the future. The issue underscores the need for collaboration and communication between railway authorities across borders to ensure passenger safety and service reliability.