As many as 22,000 people have signed an online petition against the free rail transport scheme for pensioners and students that is set to begin on November 17th, according to Tomaš Smutny, head of the New Generation civil association, the petition organiser.
The association is the former youth wing of the Slovak Christian and Democratic Union (SDKU) a centre-right party, currently in opposition. “After last week's massive support on the internet, we've decided to kickstart a petition in writing as well. We've collected 22,000 signatures in less than a week. More than 4,500 people have promised to take part in our campaign. This means we expect massive support in all cities and towns in Slovakia. We think that all young people realise that the trains that Prime Minister Robert Fico says are free are not really free. The trains will be paid for by their parents in taxes and by students from levies and from money they earn in part-time jobs”, said Smutny.
Transport Ministry spokesman Martin Koňa said that the petition is a political activity in the anticipation of the local elections this weekend. “Everybody is entitled to express their opinion, and we understand that this topic comes across as attractive for young politicians”, said Koňa.
