Slovakia will have to tender the operators of all railway services by 2030 in accordance with the European Union regulation on the liberalisation of the public passenger transport market, the government acknowledged during Wednesday’s off-site government meeting in Senica.
The Ministry of Transport plans to publish the first announcements later this year, with the initial stage of public tenders scheduled for the end of 2026. Winning companies are expected to begin operating the first routes from 2029.
Transport Minister Jozef Ráž (Smer-SD) said the new schedule is “much fairer,” ensuring that operators taking lucrative routes will also run less profitable regional lines. He criticised the previous plan for “cherry picking” attractive routes, leaving the less profitable ones to the state-owned national railway carrier.
According to the Ministry, the aim of liberalisation is to increase competition and improve the quality of passenger services, while ensuring a better balance between service quality and price. Benefits are expected to include greater efficiency, improved service levels, and a shift of passengers from less environmentally friendly modes of transport to rail.
Slovakia’s national railway carrier, welcomed the publication of the plan.
Jana Pôbišová, head of communications, said the company is already preparing to participate in tenders by modernising vehicles, digitising ticket sales, introducing new services, and increasing efficiency. She emphasised that the company’s priority remains reliable transport for passengers and a stable work environment for employees.
Liberalisation of railway services is a Europe-wide process, and Slovakia’s step is part of the broader effort to create more competitive and efficient rail transport across the EU.
Source: TASR
