Despite the widespread belief that regional trains in Ukraine or Slovakia are launched only after years of delays, the national passenger carrier Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK) is proving the opposite. Starting Monday, September 21, 2026, a major schedule overhaul will begin in the eastern part of the country, directly linked to the development of a strategic industrial park and the creation of new jobs.
The main change will be the launch of regular passenger service at a brand-new station. Railway officials are preparing to transport thousands of people, so the changes will be felt not only by workers but also by all residents of the region who travel between Košice and the surrounding areas.
The new S11 line and the Valaliky terminál station
A key innovation will be the launch of the new S11 Košice–Čaňa railway line, which will include a regular stop at the newly built Valaliky terminál station. This transportation hub was built directly next to a large-scale industrial site where new production facilities are currently under construction.
According to the official ZSSK schedule, two additional pairs of commuter trains will run on this route on weekdays:
- Os 6503: Košice (5:31 a.m.) — Valaliky Terminal (5:46 a.m.) — Čaňa (5:49 a.m.)
- Os 6504: Čaňa (6:37 a.m.) — Valaliky Terminal (6:41 a.m.) — Košice (6:54 a.m.)
- Os 6521: Košice (2:25 p.m.) — Valaliky Terminal (2:39 p.m.) — Čaňa (2:42 p.m.)
- Local Train 6522: Čaňa (3:17 p.m.) — Valaliky Terminal (3:21 p.m.) — Košice (3:34 p.m.)
The trip from the metropolitan area’s main station eastward to the new industrial zone will take about a quarter of an hour. For passengers’ convenience, a modern dual-system Panter Class 660 electric multiple unit with 343 seats will be deployed on this route in the afternoon, while morning services will be operated by classic railcar trains. Detailed schedules are now available for review via the ZSSK route search.
Changes on the S6 Line and Convenient Bus Connections
In addition to the direct service on the S11 line, transportation options will also improve for residents of other areas. The carrier is adding a morning service on the S6 line between Košice and Rožňava.
- Train Os 6471 will depart from Rožňava at 4:52 a.m., pass through Moldava nad Bodvou (5:27 a.m.) and Haniska pri Košiciach (5:51 a.m.), and arrive in Košice at 6:05 a.m.
At the Haniska pri Košiciach station, passengers will be able to quickly transfer to special bus routes that take employees directly to the technology park. For the return trip after the second shift, passengers can also use the R 920 GEMERAN intercity express train, which was also given an additional stop in Haniska earlier this summer.
Why is service being expanded right now?
The reason for the rapid expansion of the rail network is the active ramp-up of operations at the Volvo Cars plant in this strategic area. While approximately 800 specialists were employed at the plant in August, the workforce is expected to grow to 1,300 employees by the end of this year.
According to the Košice Self-Governing Region’s transportation forecast, the new integrated terminal is expected to serve up to 3,400 passengers per day in the future, with passenger volume exceeding 1,100 people per hour during peak times. The launch of these rail lines will help relieve traffic on the roads and offer a fast and eco-friendly alternative for daily commutes in the region.
