Plan of the new head of ZSSK Koreň: Dealing with the effects of the pandemic as well as new technology and high-speed lines

The new CEO, Chairman and Member of the Board of Directors of the ZSSK, Roman Koreň, has a clear goal for the following period. This goals is to reduce the impact of the pandemic on both employees and passengers.

The Slovak railway aspires to become the backbone of the country again. Koren has stated in the media that he must argue and defend that supporting the transport sector, which is also the most environmentally friendly, makes sense. And that's despite the budget's worst times.

The new head of the ZSSK also wants to continue the major renewal of the fleet. The massive reconstruction should mainly concern vehicles in the Prešov and Košice regions. Korea thus does not oppose further innovations, including hydrogen-powered trains. ZSSK also seems to be facing a large investment in light maintenance workplaces in Nové Zámky, Zvolen and Humennom.

Changes are also planned for infrared. " From specific projects, we believe that in five years we will not have to go slower than 140 km/h on the Bratislava – Žilina – Košice line and within ten years at least 200 km/h will be driven from Kúty to Štúrovo," Roman Koreň stated in Slovak media. Another aim is to make the regional city of Nitra more meaningfully connected to the railway network.

The ZSSK, like other carriers, mainly deals with the low number of passengers that occurred as a result of the global Covid-19 pandemic. CEO Roman Koreň is of the opinion that wherever the railway has been invested, people use trains and have found their way to them. The point is that they must be offered time-appropriate connections. However, the head of ZSSK does not deny that there may be better bus connections somewhere. However, the cancellation of railway lines should not take place, it is an irreversible process.

Roman Koreň commented in the media on the free transport of certain groups of people. It is more of an economic and political issue for him. It is clear from experience that, for example, a non-paying student will become more willing to become a paying passenger in the future. From the point of view of the ZSSK, this is the best long-term advertising. However, it is necessary to avoid overcrowded trains that do not offer passengers enough comfort. Therefore, it is necessary to look for a form of free transport that will not affect the quality of the services provided.