The new Railway Law, soon to be submitted to Parliament for adoption, proposes the establishment of an independent Railway Agency responsible for regulation and safety oversight in rail transport, announced Minister Maja Vukićević.
This agency will be operationally and functionally independent, a key requirement by the European Commission to ensure a competitive railway market and alignment with EU legal standards under Chapter 14 – Transport Policy.
Speaking at a panel organized by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Transport Community, Vukićević outlined Montenegro’s ongoing reforms and investments in the railway sector.
She highlighted the reconstruction of the Bar–Vrbnica railway line as a major infrastructure project supported by EBRD, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) grants. Last year, €112.6 million in grants were approved for the Golubovci–Bar section, covering half the total investment, with the remainder funded by international credit arrangements.
Additionally, the government secured a €30 million loan guarantee with EBRD support last June to purchase new electric trains, aimed at improving passenger service quality and reliability.
The railway modernization improves regional connectivity, especially along the Bar–Belgrade corridor, boosts the competitiveness of Bar port, and supports the Western Balkans Green Agenda goals by reducing CO₂ emissions and shifting freight from road to rail transport.
Montenegro remains committed to developing a modern, safe, and sustainable railway infrastructure, backed by strong strategic support from European partners and international financial institutions.
