The railway network in Kosovo is operated by Trainkos, the national rail company and it consists of 333.9 km (207.5 mi) of railway line, 103.4 km (64 mi) of which are freight-only.[2]
History
The construction of the Kosovar rail network began in 1874 with the construction of the line between Hani i Elezit, Fushë Kosovë and Mitrovicë. The railway became very significant for the transportation of travellers and goods, as well as for the economic development of the country and connectivity with other regions. During the 20th century, the following lines were built: Mitrovicë – Leshak and Fushë Kosovë – Pristina in 1934, Fushë Kosovë – Pejë in 1936, Pristina– Besjanë – Livadica in 1949, and Klinë – Prizren in 1963.
On 27 September 1999, the Kosovo Train for Life charter train arrived in Pristina, bringing aid and rolling stock in connection with the Kosovo Force peace-keeping efforts.[3]
As of 2014, the rail infrastructure covers most of the country and connects all major cities with the exception of Gjilan and Gjakovë.[4]
Trainkos has a fleet of eight diesel locomotives and four diesel multiple units, either inherited from Yugoslav Railways or donated by KFOR countries. The railways of Kosovo have a significant role for the transportation of travelers and goods. In 2005, there were an estimated 870 passengers per day by train. This increased by 26.56% to 1,100 passengers per day in 2006, and by 3.91% to 1,143 in 2007. In 2008, there was an 18,77% decrease in the number of passengers, though this somewhat recovered by 2009 with an increase of 10.51% to 1,026. Also, there has been an increase of passengers per day in 2010 by 1,032 or 0.61% compared to 2009.[5] More recent data from Trainkos shows a significant drop in passenger numbers compared to the 2000s, with a total yearly ridership of 70,517 passengers, or only 193 passengers per day, though this was in part due to maintenance work resulting in heavily reduced service, limited to two trips per day between Pristina and Pejë.[6]
Domestic transport
Kosovo's railway transportations have the following daily schedules:
local train – runs every day from Pejë to Pristina and back
free movement train – runs from Hani i Elezit to Fushë Kosovë, and from Fushë Kosovë to Gračanica and back. Currently, this line is out of order.
There is only one active international rail connection, running once a day from Pristina to Skopje and back.[7] Service on this route was suspended as of 2024.
International connections and services
Trainkos connects Pristina with Skopje (North Macedonia) in the south. The track between Mitrovica and Kosovo Polje is currently not served by any trains.[8]
