(source: SITA)
Private carrier RegioJet will increase the capacity of its most used trains on the Bratislava-Komárno route to more than 500 people.
“We are responsible for adopting the quickest solution to the temporary reduction of train capacity after two serious accidents,” head of RegioJet Radim Jančura said, as quoted by the TASR newswire. “Though we did not cause these accidents, they led to the removal of two motor units and declining comfort of passengers especially during morning peak hours, in the direction to Bratislava.”
The decision follows the publication of the report of the Transport Ministry on October 25, in which it claimed the carrier is violating its contract and not offering the agreed capacity on its trains. It thus asked the carrier to solve the situation, or it will face sanctions.
Running an additional train set composed of an engine and wagons will, however, not solve the problem concerning a steep increase in passengers that has been observed since 2014, said RegioJet’s spokesperson Aleš Ondrůj.
The problem can be solved only in cooperation with the Transport Ministry which decides on the number and capacity of the train sets, he added.
“RegioJet has two more units ready to be used,” Ondrůj said, as quoted by TASR, adding they need the consent of the ministry.
The number of passengers on the route increased especially after the state introduced free travel for seniors and students. This may represent up to 20 percent, according to the carrier.
The company also called on the Transport Ministry to adopt measures to increase safety at railroad crossings, TASR wrote.
