In the Government of the Republic of Serbia, on December 19, 2025, the Contract for the design and construction of the traffic system for line 1 phase 1 of the Belgrade metro was signed, as well as the Financial Protocol between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of France, which made one of the key steps in the realization of this strategic infrastructure project.
The contract was signed by the Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Aleksandra Sofronijević, the director of Alstom for Europe Andrew DeLeone, the director of JKP "Belgrade Metro and Train" Belgrade Andreja Mladenović and the secretary of the Secretariat for Public Transport Slaven Andrić, while the Financial Protocol was signed by the First Vice-President of the Government of Serbia and the Minister of Finance Siniša Mali and the Ambassador of France to Serbia Florence Ferrari.
The signed contract with the company Alstom refers to the implementation of the traffic system for the first phase of line 1 and includes a complete process based on the Design & Build principle. This includes the preparation of all project and technical documentation, procurement and delivery of equipment, system installation, testing, commissioning, as well as support during the warranty period.
As part of this contract, the procurement of a total of 32 modern metro sets is foreseen, which represents the total number of trains necessary for the functioning of the entire line 1. The trains will be fully automated, without a driver, in accordance with the highest level of automation (GoA4), and management will be carried out from the operational control center in the Makiš depot.
In addition to the delivery of rolling stock, the signed contract includes the realization of a complete system necessary for the safe, reliable and efficient functioning of the metro. This implies the application of advanced signaling systems and automatic train control, modern telecommunications solutions for passenger information, video surveillance and security, as well as the establishment of a central and backup operational control center. The contract also includes works on the construction of tracks, power infrastructure, equipping depots and train maintenance systems, as well as the installation of platform doors at stations. A special segment refers to the integration of all systems into a single unit, conducting testing, training personnel and providing technical and logistical support during system commissioning.
Of particular importance is the application of the latest Alstom technologies, including METROPOLIS™ metro trains, the URBALIS Fluence signaling system, as well as HESOP™ reversible substations, which enable the energy generated during train braking to be returned to the network and contribute to increasing the energy efficiency of the system.
The financial protocol provides for the provision of funds through a loan from the French Treasury, with the support of French financial institutions, as well as the participation of the Republic of Serbia in financing the project. In this way, a stable and long-term financial framework for the realization of the first phase of line 1 of the Belgrade metro was provided.
With the construction of the first metro line, which will connect Železnik and Mirijevo, Belgrade gets the basis for a modern, efficient and sustainable public transport system. The metro project, in integration with the existing public transport systems and the "BG train", aims to significantly improve mobility, reduce traffic congestion and contribute to a better quality of life for citizens.
Taken from the website of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia, photo author: Tanjug/Dejan Živančević
