ZSSK to Buy 430 Body Cameras for Train Drivers Despite Their Opposition

Bratislava, 22 May (TASR) - Under the Action Plan for Increasing Railway Transport Safety in Slovakia approved by the government, 430 body cameras for train drivers will be purchased at an estimated cost of about €500,000, spokesperson of the state-owned ZSSK railway passenger carrier Jan Bacek told TASR on Friday. Bacek added that the cameras will be introduced gradually in line with the readiness of the technology and operations. Train drivers have repeatedly rejected the cameras. "The cameras are being prepared as an additional analytical and safety measure. Their role is not to replace existing safety systems, but to help clarify the circumstances of accidents, analyse operational situations and further improve railway transport safety," Bacek explained. Following last year's rail accidents, ZSSK adopted several safety measures. "These range from more intensive retraining of train drivers, simulator training and extraordinary inspections to the expansion of the ETCS system, audits of shift scheduling and the Balance project," Bacek said. According to Bacek, the aim is to create working conditions that support safe operations, concentration and a safety culture in railway transport over the long term. Petra Lanikova, spokesperson for the ZSR railway infrastructure owner, told TASR that according to available information, the pilot project for body cameras currently concerns only ZSSK. The freight carrier ZSSK Cargo confirmed to TASR that it is analysing various technical and organisational measures aimed at increasing railway transport safety and protecting employees' health. "At this stage, this mainly involves expert assessment of the options, and we emphasise that these are not unilateral decisions. Any steps will be subject to further expertise-informed discussion and in line with legislation, including personal data protection," said Silvia Kuncova, head of the office of the company's general director, regarding the possible introduction of body cameras for train drivers. ZSSK Cargo has not yet made a final decision on the scope or timetable for any rollout of the technology. "At the same time, several options, including their financial impacts and operational benefits, are being evaluated," Kuncova added. Only after these analyses are completed will it be possible to speak about specific figures or deadlines, she said. Train drivers strongly oppose the cameras despite the position of the Transport Ministry, which insists on the measure. According to Matej Motycka, chairman of the train drivers' petition committee, it is already clear that the original €400,000 allocated for the cameras will not be sufficient. "We have repeatedly submitted proposals for better use of taxpayers' money. We have unsuccessfully demanded investment in signalling equipment, the working environment and training, which directly affect railway transport safety," Motycka told TASR. He stated that Slovakia often fails to identify the real causes during investigations of railway accidents. "The main purpose of investigations should not be to identify and punish the culprit, but to uncover and eliminate the root of the problem itself," Motycka warned. In his view, these are often secondary factors and systemic failures that complicate train drivers' work and thereby increase the likelihood of mistakes on their part. Peter Dubovsky, vice-president of the Train Drivers Federation, told TASR that according to the latest information, the cameras should be introduced at the first workplace by the end of June. "Procedures have still not been fully finalised in accordance with legislation, so the deadline is probably not fixed. As for the price, the government resolution allocates €400,000 for the purchase of the cameras. Nobody has specified the amount to us," he noted. Dubovsky estimated that the total costs will exceed €1 million. "It's not clear how this will be financed," he added. mf