CZ/SK verze

Slovak Railways' Mental Health Initiative Sparks Outrage as Passengers Voice Fears of Traveling by Train

Slovak Railways' Mental Health Initiative Sparks Outrage as Passengers Voice Fears of Traveling by Train
photo: Thrive LDN / Public domain/World’s first mindfulness train
21 / 10 / 2024

The Slovak Railways (ZSSK) aimed to raise awareness about mental health, but their effort was met with fierce criticism. Passengers unleashed their frustrations about the state of Slovak railways, with some claiming that traveling by train now fills them with fear.

Recently, the world has observed the importance of mental health. In 1991, the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) declared World Mental Health Day to raise global awareness about mental health issues.

The theme of World Mental Health Day 2024 was prioritizing mental health in the workplace. Creating a safe and healthy work environment can protect mental well-being and enhance overall quality of life and productivity.

Traveling to work is an integral part of daily life for many people, and Slovak Railways (ZSSK) operates an average of 1,723 trains per day, including 8 IC trains, 273 other long-distance trains, and 1,442 regional and suburban trains. Clearly, trains carry a large number of passengers. To mark the day, ZSSK posted on social media, but the message sparked heated debate, with even the railways themselves engaging in the discussion.

"Today, we remind you how important it is to take care of your mental well-being. Read a book you haven’t had time for, jot down your thoughts in a journal, plan new experiences, and enjoy the beautiful scenery from the train window. Take care of yourself, rest, and remember – it’s always okay to ask for help," said the post.

However, the post triggered an avalanche of comments, many of them ironic or outright negative. Barbara Bartišková shared her personal experience, saying that traveling by train today is a hazard for both life and mental health. "Delays all across Slovakia are not helping anyone’s mental health, and let’s not forget the recent incident near Lučenec, where lives were hanging by a thread! Train travel now terrifies me! What’s happening with the railways? I just don’t understand," she lamented.

Milan Poživenec also responded indignantly: "You should be ashamed to write this. Once again, the train on the Vrútky – Prievidza route was overcrowded. A family with a stroller couldn’t even get on. Soon we’ll be on rooftops and bumpers, and you might as well start charging admission for it," he complained.

ZSSK replied, explaining that standard trains, run in the public interest, also account for standing passengers. "If you want to travel comfortably, we recommend purchasing a seat reservation or opting for ZSSK IC trains on the Košice – Bratislava route," they responded diplomatically.

This reply also sparked frustration from Eva Dubovská, who commented: "My mental health is in shambles because of constant train delays during my daily commute."

The response from ZSSK was broader but still diplomatic: "We’re doing everything we can to ensure comfortable travel for our passengers, but it’s not always possible to avoid delays due to objective reasons. Rest assured, we analyze every delay and strive to prevent them. The main culprit is the state of the infrastructure, largely because Slovakia invested almost nothing in rail development for about 20 years after the country's founding. Today, it’s tough to make up for this investment shortfall."

ZSSK also pointed out that they don’t manage infrastructure issues, which fall under infrastructure manager ŽSR"As for delays, we’re doing our best to provide passengers with a smooth journey, but sometimes delays are unavoidable due to technical issues, staffing shortages, or track incidents," they added.

Railway activists, engineers, and passengers have been fighting these issues for years. The citizens' initiative Na železnicu even holds press conferences to bring attention to the poor state of rail infrastructure, both for freight and passenger trains.

Is There Really a Solution for Everything?

On its website, ZSSK also emphasized the importance of empathy and the value of addressing the emotions of others. They highlighted their strong support for railway employees: "Our train drivers face enormous responsibility and challenging situations, including the most difficult ones like collisions with people. Mental health is crucial not only for their personal well-being but also for the safety of the thousands of passengers they transport daily. We're expanding support programs to ensure wider access to psychological help for train drivers and other staff, helping to bolster their mental resilience in difficult situations," said ZSSK CEO Peter Helexa.

ZSSK stated that after a tragic incident, train drivers are immediately provided with support. "After such a traumatic event, they do not complete the journey; a colleague replaces them. They also receive seven days of special leave. Additionally, they have access to psychological counseling from specialists ready to help them through the trauma. Even though many prefer to take special leave, psychological support is always available to help them cope with the aftermath of the tragedy."

It’s worth noting that railways are currently undergoing modernization, focusing on speed and quality of services. ZSSK is continuing to modernize, including control systems and trainsets. Trains can now reach 160 kilometers per hour between Bratislava and Žilina and under the Tatras. According to Minister of Transport Jozef Ráž, rail travel is the most eco-friendly mode of transport, and Brussels is willing to help fund the modernization of the rail infrastructure.

Hundreds of millions of euros are already being funneled into reconstruction projects, including the Žilina rail junction, one of the largest investments at over 300 million euros. Work is also underway on the line from Čadca to the Czech border, as well as in western Slovakia.

Source: ZSSK; UVZ; RAILTARGET

Tags