Slovakia extends rail, bus fare discounts amid high fuel prices

Slovakia's government on Wednesday decided to extend reduced fares for public-service passenger rail, regional bus and urban public transport in regional capitals until the end of November amid persistently high fuel prices.

The fare cuts were introduced as part of a series of government measures to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices on households. A 50-percent discount on second-class rail tickets was initially introduced on Oct. 1 for 30 days, while half-price bus fares took effect on Oct. 12 for the same period.

Slovak Transport Ministry, which proposed the extension, said the measures had proved effective.

The Finance Ministry will allocate 5.3 million euros to the Transport Ministry to cover the extended rail fare discounts. It will also release more than 8.5 million euros to regional authorities and regional capitals to subsidize bus services.