Slovakia’s rail transport sector is taking another step towards improving operational safety after national passenger operator ZSSK (Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko) launched a public tender to equip 10 Class 757 diesel locomotives with the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 Baseline 4.
The estimated contract value is EUR 9.32 million excluding VAT, with the project forming part of the country’s wider railway safety modernisation programme.
The contract covers the supply, installation and authorisation of the ETCS onboard system, with funding expected to come from the Slovakia Programme, other European funding schemes, the state budget and ZSSK’s own resources. Bids can be submitted until 3 September 2026, while the estimated implementation period is 36 months.
According to ZSSK, the EUR 9.32 million figure represents only the estimated value used to launch the procurement procedure. The final contract price will be determined after the evaluation of submitted offers, with the lowest overall price among compliant bids set as the main selection criterion.
ETCS extends safety on non-electrified routes
The Class 757 diesel locomotives, created through the extensive modernisation of former Class 750 vehicles, are mainly used on non-electrified lines or routes combining electrified and non-electrified sections. They operate services such as the Ponitran express trains between Bratislava-Nové Mesto and Prievidza, as well as Gemeran services connecting Zvolen and Košice.
By introducing ETCS on these locomotives, ZSSK will extend modern train protection technology beyond the main electrified corridors and improve safety levels on regional and long-distance routes operated by diesel traction.
The project is part of Slovakia’s Action Plan for Increasing Railway Transport Safety, approved by the government in December 2025. The strategy includes measures covering rolling stock modernisation, railway infrastructure upgrades, signalling and communication systems, as well as improved staff training.
The installation of ETCS is one element of ZSSK’s broader safety strategy. The operator is gradually introducing cab cameras for drivers, preparing the installation of 164 BlackBox onboard recording systems on selected locomotives, driving trailers and trainsets, and has launched a tender for 12 driving simulators to support training in normal and emergency operating scenarios.
According to the Action Plan, once all planned projects are completed, ZSSK is expected to operate 178 locomotives and trainsets equipped with ETCS. The programme will support Slovakia’s alignment with European interoperability and railway safety standards, while strengthening the reliability of passenger services across the national network.
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