Cracks in the windows, broken exterior, parts of the interior destroyed can be seen on one of the new trains purchased to renew the rolling stock.
Still, it seems that someone is bothered by the fact new trains have arrived in the country, or find challenges in destroying what is invested for the benefit of citizens.
Most damage is noticed on the train that travels from Skopje to Veles, and vice versa. While the train was out of operation, Telegraf.mk's team personally confirmed there is damage done on the trains. As it has been said previously, hardly half a year has passed since the purchase of the trains, and they are a target of citizens who demolish them.
There is no information yet whether these are individual cases of vandalism, or groups of citizens intentionally board the trains to demolish them.
The maximum fine is EUR 500, and the height of the fine is determined according to the level of damage inflicted. Still, if a part of the train is destroyed on purpose, which can endanger the safety of the railway traffic, then it becomes a criminal act, punishable by law. Still, no one has been penalized so far.
The damaged train still commutes, every day, twice a day from Skopje to Veles, and back, but the vandals have not been found yet.
Macedonian Railways informed that finding the criminals is difficult, although as they said, punishing them is not their goal. They wish that citizens would raise their awareness when it comes to mutual properties, and the fact they need to be maintained.
"The fines go up to EUR 500, depending what has been damaged. If, however, by a purposely inflicted damage, someone endangers the railroad traffic, those damages qualify as criminal acts, and are punishable by law. Officials have still not found out who inflicted damage, but that is not our goal. Citizens need to be aware that the train needs to be maintained in order to be used for a long period of time," said Kire Dimanovski, transport director in Macedonian Railways.
Previously, Dimanovski has also stated for Telegraf.mk, that if there is such destructive form of action, then all attempts to preserve the trains will not be adequate for the efforts, and in the end, those destructive people will be the ones to complain that railway system is not on the necessary level.
The new Chinese trains have video-surveillance installed, and the trains are of an exceptional quality and modern design. The government has purchased 6 trains, the fourth of which will start commuting in May.