Passenger trains, with concession - MEI is studying the market, the tender is intended to be carried out in the third quarter of 2025
The operation of passenger trains on the national railway network could be awarded by concession. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy and the EU-funded CONNECTA2 programme are developing proposals to award a public service contract, while several railway projects are under development.
According to the Albanian Railway, the ministry has commissioned a preliminary market consultation to assess interest in a passenger operating contract and to gather feedback in order to ensure a transparent, competitive and efficient tendering process.
The selected train operator will supply and possibly maintain new, second-hand or leased trains, and may also be required to collect the tolls. The duration of the contract and the remuneration model will be determined based on the outcome of the market consultation, taking into account the life cycles of the trains, the costs of mobilisation and the need to ensure a competitive tender.
The tender is expected to start in the third quarter of 2025 for operations to begin in the third quarter of 2026. This includes passenger services on the Tirana – Durrës, Tirana – Rinas and Durrës – Rinas lines, as the most advanced project currently. The aim is then to expand services on the Vorë – Hani i Hotit and Durrës – Pogradec lines.
Passenger operations are estimated at 1.1 million train-km in 2026, increasing with future expansions to around 4 million train-km in 2036.
According to the state-owned railway company, "operators would have a unique opportunity to enter a growing market with strong government and EU support, offering the potential for long-term profit through public service contracts and future expansion into cross-border services."
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