A planned reduction in rail routes won’t take place before the government decides on its plans for the overall revitalisation of railway transport, involving all three existing railway companies. That was the upshot of a meeting on Tuesday, January 18, between Prime Minister Iveta Radičová and the chairmen of Slovakia’s eight self-governing regions (VÚCs), reporters were told by Trnava VÚC chairman Tibor Mikuš.
Mikuš also said that the governors were invited to attend an upcoming (January 24-26) discussion on the matter. According to the TASR newswire, Mikuš said that the premier also informed the governors about the latest developments concerning the financing of self-governing regions, which has until now been covered by transfers from the central government. Radičová said revenue from income taxes is expected to grow by 23 percent this year, according to Mikuš. Local mayors from all around Slovakia have been expressing their worries lately about planned reductions, arguing that it would represent a severe blow to the local infrastructure. The list of planned route reductions was leaked to the media last week.
Slovakia’s three railway companies are: Slovak Rail (ŽSR), which administers the country’s railway infrastructure; ZSSK, which operates passenger rail services; and Cargo Slovakia, which operates cargo services.
Source: TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
