BRATISLAVA, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Slovakia will continue to subsidize a 50-percent reduction in second-class fares on trains operating in the public interest in November, and the measure may also be extended through December, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said Wednesday.
According to the News Agency of the Slovak Republic (TASR), after a meeting with Transport Ministry officials on discounted rail fares, Fico said the government was prepared to allocate 6 million euros (6.72 million U.S. dollars) for the subsidy in November and December. He added that the government could extend the program into 2027 if necessary, depending on the availability of funding under next year's state budget.
Fico said the temporary 50-percent fare reduction, introduced on Oct. 1, had so far led to a significant increase in rail passenger numbers. On Oct. 5, the number of paying passengers rose nearly 25 percent year-on-year. On Oct. 3 and Oct. 4, passenger numbers increased by around 35 to 38 percent year-on-year, he said.
The 50-percent fare discount will also apply to suburban bus services in the regions and public transport in regional capitals. The state is expected to spend nearly 13 million euros (14.55 million dollars) on subsidies for the measure.
Six regions plan to introduce reduced fares on suburban buses from Oct. 12, while the Trnava and Trencin regions implemented the measure as early as Oct. 1. Although detailed data are not yet available, the regions have reported an increase in bus passenger numbers, Fico said. Public transport fares in regional capitals are also scheduled to be reduced from Oct. 12.
Fico said that if the impact of the fare reductions on buses and urban public transport proves similar to that seen on trains, the government would consider providing further funding for the subsidy program.
