ZSSK Railway Carrier Faces Surge in Vandalism, Damage Exceeds €37,000

Bratislava, 25 July (TASR) – Railway passenger carrier ZSSK has been facing a growing number of vandalism incidents in recent months — in 2025 alone, the company has recorded 31 cases, most involving rocks being thrown at moving trains, with vandals having also damaged train interiors, broken doors, and vandalised parked carriages, Jana Pobisova, director of the ZSSK communications department, reported on Friday. In the first half of 2025 alone, damages exceeded €37,000. „ZSSK is witnessing a continual rise in vandalism. Damage costs for the first half of 2025 are more than triple those recorded during the entire previous year. Just one damaged carriage can affect thousands of passengers through reduced comfort, train changes, delays, or complete service cancellations,” the company said. In addition to the €37,000 in direct damages, ZSSK incurred further costs exceeding €14,000 for removing graffiti from trains. The railway operator is also facing increasing theft. According to ZSSK, thieves have been targeting electric cables and technical components from carriages temporarily out of service for maintenance. The highest number of incidents has been recorded at operational centres in Bratislava and Kosice. Due to the increasing number of vandalism cases, ZSSK has implemented several preventive and security measures. In addition to cooperating with security services at selected stations and depots, police patrols have also been deployed. Onboard staff are now equipped with body cameras, and out-of-service trains are locked and monitored. „ZSSK is also preparing new security projects to be funded by European funds. These aim to protect both property and individuals, prevent incidents, and ensure the smoothest and most reliable public transport service possible in Slovakia,” the company added. mf