It often seems that train delays in Slovakia – Slovak Republic (Slovakia) – are a common occurrence, especially on key routes. Indeed, the railway company ZSSK regularly faces challenges that affect the punctuality of services. Today, August 26, 2026, on the main railway line between Bratislava, Žilina, and Košice, significant delays occurred again due to a technical failure of a service car.
Cause of the delay and its consequences
The problems started with train Ex 606, whose service car broke down. The spokesperson for Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK) (Railway Company Slovakia) Jan Baček reported that the failure could not be fixed on site, so the express had to be towed to the Východná station. This caused the Ex 606 train to be delayed by more than 100 minutes. Because of this, other trains on this section were also delayed by several minutes.
Special attention was drawn to the case of a passenger with limited mobility, for whom the carrier organized alternative transport. This emphasizes that even in difficult situations, ZSSK tries to ensure passenger comfort and safety.
Why are delays becoming normal?
Train delays in Slovakia, unfortunately, are not rare. According to ZSSK, the increase in delays in recent years is related to several factors. One of the main reasons is large-scale modernization works on the railway infrastructure, especially on the Bratislava – Žilina – Košice line. These works, although necessary to improve the quality of transport in the future, temporarily reduce track capacity and cause slower traffic.
In addition, significant impact comes from unfavorable weather conditions, such as heavy snowfalls or storm winds, which can cause technical failures, for example, at Košice station. Such conditions complicate train preparation, especially during peak hours, and lead to further delays.
What should passengers do?
If you plan to travel by train in Slovakia (Slovak Republic), especially over long distances, it is worth considering possible delays. We recommend:
Check the current schedule: Before traveling, always check information about possible delays on the official ZSSK website or mobile app.
Allow extra time: When planning transfers or important meetings, allow additional time for possible delays.
Stay calm: In case of delay, be patient. The carrier usually informs passengers about the situation and, if possible, provides alternative solutions.
ZSSK assures that it takes prompt measures to minimize the impact of disruptions on passengers, including deploying additional modern trains and redistributing train sets to ensure transport stability.
