Illustrative stock photo (source: TASR)
The journey from Bratislava to Žilina via express trains currently takes 2 hours and 46 minutes, while InterCity (IC) trains can make it in 2 hours (or 2 hours and 3 minutes, depending on the number of stops).
The state-run passenger carrier ZSSK is now planning to speed up the travelling on express trains by 15 minutes within the new timetable to be valid on December 10, the Denník N daily wrote on November 14. Travelling by IC trains is expected to take less than two hours.
The reason is the completed modernising of more kilometres of track between Bratislava and the town of Púchov (Trenčín Region), which will allow trains to travel at 160 km/h, up from the 120 km/h used now on most sections.
“The travelling on express trains between Žilina and Bratislava will be cut by 15 minutes, and on InterCity trains by seven more minutes,” Transport Ministry spokesperson Karolína Ducká told the TASR newswire.
Other changes valid from December 10 include the train connection between the Hungarian village of Rajka, the borough of Rusovce and Bratislava itself.
“The connection of Bratislava-Petržalka to Rajka and (the town of) Győr will offer transport during peak traffic hours – a total of 10 trains in both directions,” Ducká added.
The ministry wants to continue the efforts of systemically enhancing cross-border transport and improving the connection between Slovakia and neighbouring regions.
