Croatia has Europe’s least punctual passenger trains, data shows

ZAGREB, 15 September 2026 (Hina) – Croatia had the lowest passenger train punctuality rate among European countries that reported data for 2024, with just 68% of trains arriving at their final destination within the permitted time threshold, according to new data from the Independent Regulators’ Group – Rail (IRG-Rail).

The figures are contained in IRG-Rail’s 14th annual market monitoring report, which covers 31 European countries and is based on data provided by national rail regulatory authorities. Croatia’s member of IRG-Rail is the Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM).

Latvia recorded the highest passenger train punctuality rate at 97.8%, followed by Lithuania and Estonia. Croatia was at the other end of the ranking, with 68% of passenger trains arriving on time.

For Croatia, a train is considered punctual if it reaches its final station within five minutes of the scheduled arrival time. However, comparisons between countries should be treated with some caution because the thresholds are not identical. Switzerland, for example, uses a three-minute threshold, while Austria and Finland use five minutes and 29 seconds. Belgium, Poland and Sweden use five minutes and 59 seconds, while Romania uses a 20-minute threshold.

Infrastructure works among main causes of delays

HŽ Passenger Transport (HŽPP) identifies railway works as one of the main causes of delays. These works can require replacement bus services or single-track operation on sections of normally double-track railway lines.

Other causes include infrastructure conditions that require trains to operate at reduced speeds, exceptional incidents and vehicle breakdowns.

HŽPP said replacement buses can lead to delays because road journeys are generally longer than the equivalent rail journey, with delays then affecting subsequent train departures. Single-track operation during works on double-track routes can also make it more difficult to maintain scheduled services.

Compensation paid to passengers because of train delays totalled €1,177 in 2024 and increased to €2,146 in 2025, HŽPP told Hina.

At the same time, the operator is renewing its fleet. Since 2011, 70 low-floor trains worth €360 million have been delivered, including nine that entered service in 2025.

Production is also under way on six new diesel-electric trains for long-distance services. The first is scheduled to begin operating between Split and Zagreb on 15 September.

By the end of the first quarter of 2029, a total of €228.8 million is expected to have been invested in 25 new trains.

Croatia also ranks last for freight train punctuality

The situation is even worse for freight services.

Of the 22 countries that provided freight punctuality data to IRG-Rail, Croatia again recorded the lowest rate, followed by the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

IRG-Rail links the low performance in these countries partly to lengthy construction works on railway infrastructure that have not been completed within planned deadlines.

HŽ Cargo also points to infrastructure as one of the main challenges. Of Croatia’s 2,617-kilometre railway network, 2,451 kilometres are currently in use. Only 315 kilometres, or 12%, are double-track, while 907 kilometres, or 37%, are electrified.

HŽ Cargo says much of the existing infrastructure is ageing, requiring speed restrictions on parts of the network to ensure safe operations.

The major investment cycle aimed at modernising the network is currently creating additional disruption.

HŽ Cargo said frequent line closures caused by infrastructure works had resulted in significant disruption and operational difficulties. On the Rijeka–Zagreb–Koprivnica–state border corridor, the railway was continuously closed for a total of 77 days during 2025.

The number of continuous closures increased by 20% compared with 2024, while the total number of closure days, including both daily and continuous closures, rose by 8%.

The Dugo Selo–Koprivnica–state border section recorded the highest number of closures, with HŽ Cargo reporting major delays and the largest decline in traffic. Some freight services had to be diverted, increasing transit times and costs.

Delays extend beyond Croatia

HŽ Cargo also stressed that not all causes of delays are within Croatia.

Works in Slovenia reduced transport capacity and the availability of routes towards Italy and the Port of Koper by 50%. Increased border controls and limited capacity around the Tovarnik–Šid border crossing also create bottlenecks and waiting times.

The growth in the number of rail operators is adding further pressure. According to HAKOM data cited by HŽ Cargo, Croatia has 20 railway operators, 15 of which are currently active.

HŽ Cargo says the existing infrastructure is unable to efficiently absorb the increased volume of traffic.

Freight trains also face another disadvantage: passenger services have priority on the network. According to HŽ Cargo, this further affects freight punctuality, particularly during periods of peak demand, when alternative routes are being used or major sections of the network are closed.

The company expects punctuality to improve through better planning and coordination of infrastructure works, improved traffic management, infrastructure renewal and an increase in the number of double-track railway lines.

Wider European problem

Train delays are not solely a Croatian problem.

IRG-Rail data shows that passenger train punctuality deteriorated between 2023 and 2024 in 15 of the 25 countries for which comparable data was available, while it improved in 10.

Croatia, however, remained at the bottom of the ranking among countries reporting data, with only 68% of passenger trains arriving within the applicable five-minute threshold.

The country also recorded the lowest freight train punctuality rate among the 22 countries providing data.

The IRG-Rail figures and responses from Croatian rail operators point to a common underlying issue: infrastructure that is dealing with both the effects of long-term ageing and the disruption caused by an extensive programme of modernisation.