After 13 years, regular passenger traffic is returning to the Una railway, and the Ministry of Economy of Una-Sana Canton secured 400,000 BAM to restart and maintain the rail line in the Krajina region. This initiated the broader revitalization process of one of the most important vital transport corridors of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The first step was made by allocating 150,000 BAM from the budget of the Ministry of Economy of the Una-Sana Canton for establishing a tourist railway line on the Bihać-Bosanska Krupa- Bosanska Otoka route. The line operated during the summer season, from June to August 2026, which re-established passenger railway traffic on a section of the Una railway following a multi-year interruption.
Public interest, the significance of the railway link for tourism, connectivity between towns, and the local economy were the reasons to continue with the activities beyond the summer season.
Because of this, the Ministry of Economy of Una-Sana Canton secured an additional 250,000 BAM to co-finance passenger railway transport from September 1 to December 31, 2026. The total funds allocated for re-establishing and maintaining the line amounted to 400,000 BAM this year.
The Ministry of Economy of Una Sana Canton emphasized that this project represents a concrete beginning of the Una railway revitalization, launched with the canton’s own funds without financial support from higher levels of government or other institutions.
In parallel with funding the railway line, activities to broaden the Una railway and involve other institutions in its revitalization process have been launched.
Minister of Economy of Una Sana Canton Samra Mehić initiated meetings with the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Republic of Croatia to explore opportunities for cooperation and support in connecting the Una railway toward Martin Brod and Štrabački buk, as well as its eventual integration with the railway network of the Republic of Croatia.
Discussions about a possible connection toward Bosanski Novi have also been raised, while letters requesting involvement and concrete support have been sent to higher levels of government.
A special call was sent to the Ministry of Communications and Transport of Bosnia and Herzegovina to join the Una rail revitalization process, considering its significance, which, as stated by the cantonal ministry, extends beyond local and cantonal frameworks to encompass the broader transport and development potential of Krajina.
Minister Mehić emphasized that the goal was not only to restart the train service between Bihać and Bosanska Krupa, but to establish a starting point for a longer-term process of restoring the Una railway to full operation.
“When we launched the story of the Una railway, our goal was not only for the train to run between Bihać and Bosanska Krupa. We wanted to make a first concrete step and show that progress can be made even when support from other levels is lacking. That is why, as the Ministry of Economy, we secured the funds and established the line in cooperation with Railways of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ŽFBiH), and now we want to take it a step further,” said Mehić.
She added that the Una railway should become a link connecting people, cities, tourism, and the economy.
“We sent letters to the higher level of government, and we expect them to join the process, which is significant not only to the Una-Sana Canton, but to the entire Bosnia and Herzegovina,” the Minister said.
As she said, a total of 400,000 BAM that the Minister of Economy of the Una-Sana Canton secured in 2026 represents the beginning, not the end, of these activities.
“Our goal is for the Una railway to become an active line once again, and for Krajina to gain a rail connection that will serve its citizens, tourism, and the economy,” Mehić said.
