Slovakia’s national railway operator ZSSK has selected FAIRTIQ to implement a nationwide ticketing pilot of mobile pay-as-you-go (MPAYG). The joint initiative aims to simplify access to public transport and provide deeper insights into passenger mobility patterns across the country.
The pilot project will begin in January 2026 and run for one year on ZSSK-operated domestic railway routes. If successful, the initiative could lay the foundation for a long-term national ticketing solution.
Set to go live in the coming months, the pilot will cover all domestic routes operated by ZSSK, including iconic regional lines such as the Tatra Electric Railway (TEŽ) and the Cogwheel Railway (OŽ). Using the FAIRTIQ app, passengers simply swipe to start their journey and swipe again when they arrive — with no need to plan routes or select fare zones in advance.
As part of its modernisation strategy — built on four key pillars: being a stable and attractive employer, offering modern trains, modern services, and ensuring financial strength and stability — ZSSK is placing strong emphasis on innovation and digitalisation as tools to enhance passenger comfort and improve service efficiency.
“More than 52% of our customers already use digital channels to purchase tickets via mobile or online platforms. FAIRTIQ is therefore a natural next step for us on the path towards simpler and more convenient rail travel,” said Peter Helexa, CEO of ZSSK.
Instead of searching for connections, selecting fares, and completing multiple payment steps, users simply “check in” at the beginning of their journey and “check out” at the end. The system automatically calculates the fare based on the distance travelled and ZSSK’s fare policy. It’s like having a ticket machine in your pocket — with no need for counters, machines, or paper tickets.
Beyond convenience, the nationwide ticketing pilot will also generate anonymised data on passenger travel patterns. This will help ZSSK better understand demand and tailor services accordingly, while upholding strict data privacy standards.
If successful, the pilot could pave the way for a long-term solution supporting a more seamless and user-focused public transport experience across Slovakia.
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