Government plans to continue reduced rail fares through year-end

The prime minister announced plans to continue reduced rail fares in November and December. The statement describes a 50% reduction in second-class fares in effect since 1 October. Check the operator’s conditions for the specific ticket and whether the reduction applies.

The extension discussion follows early October results. The prime minister compared 5 October figures: ZSSK’s paying passengers rose from 42,174 in 2025 to 52,315 in 2026. These are government-reported figures, not an independent assessment of what caused the increase.

The statement estimates rail support at around €6 million a month, or approximately €18 million including buses and urban transport. Continuation of the rail measure in November was announced as an intention; December continuation was described as an expectation.

Higher demand also creates capacity problems: some trains are under repair and lines have service restrictions. The prime minister called for overcrowding to be addressed. A lower fare therefore does not imply the absence of delays, guaranteed seats or identical conditions for every ticket category.