The upgrade of around 230 kilometres of track between Belgrade and Niš is a major part of Serbia’s Corridor X investment programme. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) says the objective is to allow speeds of up to 200 km/h on upgraded infrastructure. That is an engineering target, not a claim that trains already operate at this speed throughout the route.
Project financing
The EBRD envisages a sovereign loan of up to €550 million in tranches, with co-financing from the European Investment Bank and the EU through the Western Balkans Investment Framework. The project aims to improve railway safety, passenger comfort, freight capacity and regional connections. EBRD currently lists the project as Disbursing, which does not imply that construction is complete or every euro has been spent.
What travellers should know
The restoration of local Niš–Leskovac services is separate from the Belgrade–Niš high-speed project. The cited EBRD document does not give a confirmed completion date for the entire upgraded line. Travellers should check existing services and travel times directly with Srbijavoz.
Serbian original · Source: EBRD, project 53136. November 13, 2026.
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