Slovakia Will Use €135 million from EU to Modernise Rail Transport

Kosice, 9 November (TASR) - Slovakia has received more than €135 million from the European Union (EU) to modernise railway lines and increase rail transport safety, with the European Commission (EC) approving funding for Slovakia's projects from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), representatives of the Transport Ministry, the EC, state-run rail-infrastructure operator ZSR, national passenger carrier ZSSK and state-owned rail-freight carrier ZSSK Cargo reported following the official handover of the grant agreement on specific projects in Kosice this week. "Today is a day on which we're signing contracts with the European Commission worth €135 million, which will enable us to modernise railway lines and increase the safety of rail transport. European funds have long helped us improve the quality and reliability of our railways, and as we were prepared and had good quality projects, Slovakia was among the most successful EU countries in this round of CEF calls," said Transport Ministry State Secretary Denisa Zilakova. Slovakia received 8 percent of the resources that were available to all 27 European countries under this CEF call. A total of €96.7 million has been earmarked for modernising the Spisska Nova Ves-Spisske Tomasovce railway section. The Kosice-Cierna nad Tisou line (both in Kosice region) will be modernised for €27.3 million. ZSSK and ZSSK Cargo will receive more than €5 million for installing a modern ETCS safety system in their trains. The ETCS system automatically controls the speed and movement of trains to prevent dangerous situations. If there is an obstacle on the track, it can slow down or completely stop the train, thus contributing to greater railway safety, said the ministry. This is a uniform European standard that is being gradually introduced in all member states to make rail transport safer and smoother across Europe. am/df