ZSSK Posted Record Summer in High Tatras, with 1.6 million Passengers Carried

Vysoke Tatry, 31 October (TASR) - National passenger rail carrier ZSSK recorded its most successful summer in the past 15 years on the lines of the Tatra Electric Railways and the cog railway, ZSSK's spokesperson Jan Bacek has informed TASR, adding that these trains carried almost 1.2 million passengers in July and August alone, with the total number of passengers reaching 1.6 million when September is included. August was the busiest month, with more than 632,000 passengers. Trains in the region serve a dual purpose: they facilitate daily commuting for local residents, while allowing tourists to travel around the High Tatras without the need for a car. The railway operator therefore boosted services on the Strba-Strbske Pleso route by 12 trains and on the Poprad-Tatry-Stary Smokovec route by eight. "In the High Tatras, trains are more than just a means of getting from one place to another. They're an integral part of the way in which people experience and explore the region. We're pleased to have seen a record number of passengers, but this also brings a responsibility with it. During the peak tourist season, we increased the number of services, while our staff worked every day to keep trains running smoothly amidst the high demand for travel. We want rail travel to be a natural choice for both local residents and tourists - Slovak as well as foreign ones," said ZSSK general director Ivana Pinosova. Five modern Stadler hybrid electric rack-and-adhesion rail vehicles operate on the lines. They're capable of running on both conventional and rack railway sections. The vehicles have also made their mark on the international stage. Thanks to them, ZSSK became one of the three finalists in the UIC TopRail Tourist-Friendly Awards 2025. Furthermore, the Tatra railway infrastructure and the depot in Poprad have also been visited by railway experts from Europe, Japan, Morocco and Tunisia. "The record-breaking season in the High Tatras confirms the vital role that modern railways play in mountainous regions. We believe that high-quality, eco-friendly and long-term sustainable rail transport is the best way to make the beauty of the Tatras accessible to visitors while also protecting their exceptional natural environment," added Zdenek Majer, president of the Board of Directors of Stadler Prague. ko/df