“In the case of the Slovak Railway Company, we will continue into November. There is no doubt about that,” Prime Minister Robert Fico said after a meeting at the Ministry of Transportation. The 50 percent discounts on second-class train tickets, which were originally announced to last only 30 days, will now remain in effect indefinitely.
The government is responding to high fuel prices, which are prompting people to seek cheaper alternatives for commuting to work or school. The reduction in public transportation fares is gradually being extended to the regions. If you’re planning to travel or purchasing regular monthly passes, here are the key details on how the discounted travel on Slovak railways and buses will continue.
The High Level of Interest in Cheaper Trains
Data from the first few days showed that the discount significantly motivated people to switch to trains. While approximately 42,000 paying passengers used the services of the Slovak Railway Company (ZSSK) on October 5 of last year, that number rose to over 52,000 on the same day this year.
An even more noticeable surge occurred in the sale of prepaid monthly passes. In the first five days of October, nearly 7,000 passengers purchased them, representing a significant increase compared to the previous year. According to the prime minister, this indicates that the initiative has achieved its goal.
What Will Happen in December and Next Year
Although the program is confirmed for November, an extension into December is also being considered. The government is prepared to allocate approximately 6 million euros per month to this subsidy program.
2027: Whether the discounts will continue next year will depend on the state of the national budget, which is currently under discussion.
December deadline: A decision regarding the winter months will be made based on current developments in transportation.
However, the increase in passenger numbers is also causing operational challenges. Track closures and emergency measures are in place in several locations, such as at the important Žilina railway junction following a recent fire.
When Will Buses and Public Transportation Become Cheaper?
While trains have been running at half price since the beginning of the month, commuter bus services and city public transit in regional cities will follow suit a little later.
Transport Minister Jozef Raž explained that an immediate launch for buses was technically impossible due to the configuration of the fare payment systems used by various carriers.
Starting Monday, October 12, fares will be reduced by 50 percent for a period of 30 days on regional buses and public transit.
Some regions (such as the Trnava and Trenčín regions) have already implemented the measure on different dates, but most regions are switching to the reduced fare system starting in mid-October.
If this nationwide measure proves successful in practice, the government plans to extend the fare subsidies to buses and city routes as well. Details about current routes and schedules can be found directly on the website of the national carrier ZSSK or in the apps of integrated carriers.
