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🇸🇮 Slovenia /Economy & Trade

Slovenia seeks state support to restore direct train link to Venice

From Delo · () Slovenian

Translated from Slovenian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Direct train service from Ljubljana to Venice was unilaterally canceled by Italy, despite previous operation during the European Capital of Culture.
  • Slovenian Railways (SŽ) seeks state support to re-establish international routes, citing new locomotives and wagons meeting safety standards.
  • Improving international train services, like potential faster routes to Budapest by reducing stops, could boost passenger numbers by offering comfort and convenience.

Direct train travel between Ljubljana and Venice is no longer possible, a situation Slovenian Railways (SŽ) aims to rectify with state support. The route, which previously operated, was unilaterally canceled by Italy, according to Miha Butara, director of SŽ Passenger Transport.

Butara explained that while SŽ now possesses new locomotives and wagons compliant with international safety standards, re-establishing such services requires governmental backing. He highlighted the potential benefits, including replacing car and van transport to Venice Marco Polo Airport and Santa Lucia train station, which serves 82,000 passengers daily.

If we manage to eliminate unnecessary stops, we would shorten the travel time to Budapest by at least an hour.

· Miha ButaraDirector of SŽ Passenger Transport, discussing potential improvements to international train routes.

SŽ is actively collaborating with neighboring countries, including Austria, Croatia, and Hungary. A project with Hungarian colleagues aims to reduce the number of stops for international trains, which are currently treated as local services, thereby extending travel times. Butara noted that despite cars often being faster, trains to Hungary and Vienna are popular due to passenger appreciation for comfort, safety, and the classic train travel experience.

Although the car is still faster, trains to Hungary and Vienna are full – passengers appreciate the comfort, safety, and romance of traveling in classic carriages.

· Miha ButaraDirector of SŽ Passenger Transport, explaining the appeal of train travel despite potential speed differences.
About this summary

Originally published by Delo in Slovenian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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