FinMin: Rail companies should focus on spending money efficiently

Railway companies must give convincing evidence of the efficiency of their spending, said Finance Minister Peter Kažimír (Smer-SD), in response to the statement released on Monday by state-run rail operator ZSR, saying that the general government budget for the next year, as it is designed, is devastating for the railway company. The rail infrastructure owner in Slovakia said it had asked for an operating subsidy of €316.5 million for next year. According to ZSR, the pressure for higher subsidies arises especially from the urgent need to carry out deferred maintenance. "However, the subsidy for the operation of the railway infrastructure is only calculated at the level of €250 million for the whole year, so it doesn't cover our needs," reads a statement from the company.