Albania Set to Launch New Era in Rail Travel with Passenger Train Concession Initiative

ALBANIA: Exciting developments are underway as the Ministry of Infrastructure & Energy, alongside the EU-backed CONNECTA2 initiative, gears up to launch a public service contract for passenger train operations across albania’s national rail system.

In its journey towards EU membership, albania is revamping its transport strategies. A significant overhaul of the state railway company HSH is on the horizon, which includes creating a dedicated infrastructure management entity for its extensive 677 km rail network.

The ministry has kicked off an initial market consultation to gauge interest in this passenger operation contract.This step aims to foster openness and competitiveness in the upcoming tendering process while gathering valuable insights from potential operators.

This presents a fantastic chance for operators looking to tap into a burgeoning market backed by both government and EU support. with public service contracts on offer and prospects for cross-border services down the line, there’s plenty of room for long-term growth.

The primary focus will be on services along the Durrës – Tiranë – Tiranë International Airport route. Future expansions could reach Hani i Hotit at Montenegro’s border and Pogradec near North Macedonia. By 2026, passenger operations are projected at around 1.1 million train-km, potentially soaring to about four million train-km by 2036 with these extensions.

To enhance efficiency, lines are being upgraded to accommodate speeds of up to 120 km/h with ETCS Level 1 signaling systems; an upgrade to Level 2 might follow later. Plans also include electrifying sections at a frequency of 25 kV/50 Hz.

The chosen operator will likely need to provide or maintain new or leased rolling stock and may also handle fare collection duties.

The specifics regarding contract duration and payment structures will hinge on feedback from this market consultation—considering factors like rolling stock lifecycles and mobilization costs—to ensure competitive bidding remains intact.

Tendering is anticipated to kick off in Q3 of 2025 with operations slated for launch by Q3 of the following year!