Slovakia’s railway operator, ZSSK, has unveiled the first modernized double-decker sleeper railcar that will be part of the extensive modernization program for night trains and international connections.
The car was unveiled at the “Rail Business Days 2026” international trade fair in Ostrava, Czech Republic, where Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK) presented its new vision for night rail transport in Slovakia, based on the concept: “board in the evening, travel in comfort, and arrive at your destination well-rested in the morning.”
The new car offers a significantly higher standard of comfort, with air-conditioned compartments, modern beds, electrical outlets and USB ports at every seat, a digital information system, and new types of premium compartments.
Higher-class accommodations are also being introduced, which are currently unavailable on Slovak domestic routes.
“Night trains continue to play an important role in European rail transport today. If we want to keep them in the future, we must gradually modernize them. Today we are not just presenting a single car, but the direction in which we want to develop night rail transport in Slovakia—more comfort, more privacy, and better services for passengers. I believe the modernized cars will transform night trains into an attractive option for a broad audience,” said Miroslav Klich, Director of the ZSSK Maintenance Division.
The renewal of the rolling stock fleet is also necessary for technical reasons. Of the approximately 30 sleeping cars in service in Slovakia, most were manufactured in the 1980s, and some are no longer air-conditioned and are nearing the end of their service life.
The sleeper cars will also operate in the Czech Republic
The double-decker sleeper car was modernized by the Slovak company ŽOS Vrútky as part of a contract for 10 cars that were purchased from Deutsche Bahn. These were manufactured in 1995, and the modernization process will bring night travel up to higher standards.
“During the modernization process, we didn’t focus solely on the car’s technical specifications. It was important to create a space where passengers would feel comfortable throughout their journey. The result is a modern product that combines the expertise of the Slovak railway industry with the current expectations of travelers,” said Michal Vereš, CEO of ŽOS Vrútky.
The first modernized railcars will enter service this year on international lines to the Czech Republic on routes such as Humenné–Košice–Žilina–Prague and Humenné–Košice–Žilina–Bratislava, thereby strengthening rail connections between Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and major European corridors.
The modernization of night trains is part of Slovakia’s strategy to reduce the use of long-distance road transport and increase the appeal of rail transport as a sustainable and competitive solution in Central Europe.
ZSSK is aligning its strategy with the European trend toward revitalizing night trains, a segment that has been making a strong comeback in recent years due to increased demand for sustainable mobility and comfort over long distances.
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