In brief
Slovakia announced on October 28 that discounted fares for second‑class rail tickets and regional bus services will continue through the end of November. The Finance Ministry has set aside €5.3 million for rail subsidies and over €8.5 million for bus subsidies to regional capitals. The measures target households affected by soaring fuel prices.
In Bratislava, on Oct. 28, 2026, the Slovak government announced it would extend discounted fares for public‑service passenger rail, regional buses and urban public transport in regional capitals through the end of November, according to Xinhua.
The 50‑percent discount on second‑class rail tickets and the half‑price bus fares were originally introduced on Oct. 1 and Oct. 12 respectively and were scheduled to expire after 30 days. The new decision keeps them on for another **month** to give people more time to adjust to the continued rise in fuel costs.
Elevated fuel prices have increased the cost of daily commuting for many Slovak households. By cutting fares, the government aims to reduce the “financial burden on families” during a period of high energy inflation, the transport ministry said.
The **Slovak Transport Ministry** proposed the extension and cited its effectiveness in easing pressure on commuters. According to the ministry, the previous 30‑day trial helped boost ridership and kept more people on public transit.
The Finance Ministry will allocate €5.3 million, roughly $5.9 million, to the Transport Ministry to cover the extended rail fare discounts. That figure covers subsidies for every second‑class ticket sold under the discount scheme.
In addition, the ministry has committed more than €8.5 million, about $9.4 million, to regional authorities and capitals to support regional bus services. The funding will help offset the costs of operating buses that run at half‑price fares for passengers.
These measures apply to second‑class rail tickets, regional buses that serve the major urban centers of Slovakia, and urban public transport within those same capitals. Passengers who normally pay full price will therefore spend half of what they used to when traveling by train or bus.
The extension reflects the government’s ongoing effort to manage the economic impact of rising fuel prices on everyday commuters. The discounts remain in place until November 30, offering a temporary but concrete relief for thousands of residents across the country.
