July 3, 2023 – After 23 years, Slavonia and Sisak are once again connected to Dalmatia by rail. The seasonal train Vukovar-Split set off on its first journey from Sisak last night.
A fast (at least to HŽ standards) night train will operate on the route Vukovar/Vinkovci – Sisak – Zagreb – Šibenik/Split until September 3rd, writes Index.
The train was welcomed in Sisak, along with the first few passengers, by Sisak-Moslavina Prefect Ivan Celjak and his colleagues, State Secretary for Railways, Posts and Electronic Telecommunications of the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Alen Gospočić, and Board President of the Croatian Railway Transport (HŽ) Željko Ukić.
As Ukić said, this line connects a large part of continental Croatia, especially Sisak-Moslavina County with Split. The Croatian Government, in cooperation with HŽ, provided free transportation to the residents of the earthquake-affected area.
The Ministry is doing everything to improve rail transport, said Alen Gospočić. He added that the intention is to increase the number of passengers, as well as safety on the railway lines by acquiring new trains. By connecting Dalmatia and Slavonia, a great step forward was made not only for Croatia but also for the EU.
We’ve been waiting for a train like this for several decades, said Prefect Celjak. He announced that Sisak will get two more trains to Zagreb, a fast morning train and a fast afternoon train from Zagreb to Sisak.
Vukovar-Split Journey of 14 Hours
The seasonal train departs from Vukovar at 16:49, arrives in Sisak at 21:05, and in Split at 6:56. On the way back, it leaves Split at 8:59 p.m., it arrives in Sisak at 6:58 a.m., and Vukovar at 11:06 a.m. The journey in one direction therefore takes about 14 hours.
Ticket prices are reduced by 40 percent. Moreover, the residents of the earthquake-affected area of Sisak-Moslavina County have free transportation. In addition to the station in Sisak, the train also stops at the railway stations in Novska and Sunja.
Previously, Sisak was connected to Split by two high-speed trains, which traveled along the Una railway. However, after the Homeland War, these lines were abolished.
