Today, on November 7, a new diesel-motor train for regional transport was launched on the route Varaždin – Čakovec – Varaždin. It is the 9th new train to be put into service this year. Including this train, HŽ Putnički prijevoz now has a total of 70 low-floor trains in operation.
On the occasion of putting this train into operation, State Secretary of the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Žarko Tušek pointed out:
- This is a grand finale of a large investment cycle of HŽ Putnički prijevoz, which is part of the large cycle of investments in the railway overall. This cycle has been rounded up in HŽ Putnički prijevoz with 70 trains with a total value of EUR 360 million and the last diesel train that we brought to Varaždin. Regarding the future, we have already contracted 19 new trains—battery, electric battery and electro-diesel trains, which we are developing with our local company KONČAR. Some of these trains will also come to the northern railways. Also, we expect to contract the procurement of almost 40 new trains in 2026. In addition to trains, the investment cycle in railway infrastructure in this area, as well as in the entire country, is also extremely large.
Satisfied with the commissioning of the 70th low-floor train, the President of the Management Board of HŽ Putnički prijevoz Željko Ukić said:
- Last year we transported about 1.3 million passengers in Varaždin and Međimurje County, and we also had good results in free transport projects. New trains that already run in this area also contribute to that, and this new one will directly connect Čakovec and Varaždin with Zagreb in the mornings. A charging station for battery trains was also built in the Varaždin train station. We are also preparing a new project with which we plan to acquire more electric battery trains and build a charging station in Kotoriba in order to provide even better railroad transport in this area.
The diesel-motor train was manufactured by the company KONČAR – Električna vozila.
- The completed delivery of all twelve diesel-electric motor trains is an important moment for the entire KONČAR Group. These are high-tech products developed by the company, which significantly raise the quality of regional passenger transport in Croatia. We are proud to contribute to more efficient, comfortable and environmentally friendly mobility solutions via this project. We would like to thank HŽ Putnički prijevoz for their trust and long-standing cooperation, throughout which we have delivered a total of 70 trains to Croatian railways to date, more than 40 of which in just the last four years. – stated a member of the Management Board of KONČAR, Ivan Paić.
The commissioning of the new diesel-motor train will enable a direct connection between Čakovec, Varaždin and Zagreb. Representatives of local and regional government units were also present at the promotional ride. Anđelko Stričak, the Prefect of Varaždin County, pointed out:
- We are pleased that rail transport in Varaždin County is used free of charge by about 1,700 children and students, about 1,000 university students and 5,000 pensioners. Today, we are witnessing the bringing into service of a new train produced in Croatia, but we are also witnessing a strong national investment cycle in railways. Of course, we are pleased with all the investments not only in Varaždin County, but also in other counties in the north of Croatia. Seven months ago, we witnessed the beginning of the reconstruction of a section of the so-called Podravina railway, an investment with a total value of about EUR 190 million, which modernizes the railway from Koprivnica to Varaždin and from Varaždin to Čakovec. I will also note that the County has, in the latest amendments to the Zoning Plan, included the so-called Lepoglava connection, from Varaždin to Zagreb via Lepoglava and Krapina, so we expect the continuation of activities on this project in the near future.
Matija Posavec, the Prefect of Međimurje County, added:
- We dream of the day when we will be able to go from Čakovec to Zagreb by train directly and in about an hour’s time. This is one big step in that direction, I have nothing but support for every investment in infrastructure and the procurement of new trains. The north of Croatia will get a completely new dimension of competitiveness and mobility once it has a developed railway network and a network of high-speed trains. This is particularly important to us all, therefore I have nothing but support for this project and all efforts to regulate the Kotoriba – Čakovec – Varaždin railway all the way to Zagreb and beyond.
The mayors of Varaždin, Neven Bosilj, and Novi Marof, Siniša Jenkač, were also present at the promotional ride on the new diesel-motor train.
The diesel-motor train for regional transport is part of series 7023 and is a three-part low-floor set. The maximum speed of the train is 120 km/h, and it has 167 seats and 175 standing places. It is equipped with four pairs of double doors and has two ramps for the entry and exit of wheelchair users, as well as a bicycle area. The seats are designed as two-seaters, except in the section intended for persons with reduced mobility, in which folding seats are installed. Thanks to the wide double doors, it is possible for a larger number of passengers to quickly exit and enter. The train is equipped with a modern heating and cooling system and video surveillance, and passengers on the train are provided with free internet access (WiFi). Stops at stations and stops are announced via an audio-visual passenger information system. In traffic, a functional connection of diesel-motor trains with low-floor trains of the new generation is possible, which ensures greater capacity.
New trains also contribute to the preservation of the environment by reducing emissions of harmful gases, whereby rail transport contributes to the sustainability of the transport system in the Republic of Croatia.