BRATISLAVA, Slovakia / BERN, Switzerland – February 19, 2026 – Slovakia’s national rail operator, ZSSK (Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko), and FAIRTIQ, Europe’s leading mobile pay-as-you-go ticketing provider, have officially launched a one-year pilot for seamless rail travel on all railway lines in Slovakia on which ZSSK operates. With this launch, Slovakia joins Switzerland as the second country to offer seamless, nationwide rail coverage on FAIRTIQ.
Starting today, passengers can travel across all regular ZSSK domestic rail services – including the Tatra Electric Railway (TEŽ) and Rack Railway (OŽ) networks – using FAIRTIQ’s innovative mobile pay-as-you-go technology.
The official launch follows a successful introductory phase during which the technology was extensively tested across the network. This test confirmed the system's operational reliability and readiness for nationwide deployment to the Slovakian public.
Simplified travel for the whole nation
This new ticketing channel simplifies the passenger experience by eliminating the need to understand fare rules and purchase paper tickets. Instead, passengers simply swipe on the app before boarding and swipe upon arrival, or let the system check them out automatically. The system then calculates the correct fare for the journey.
The pilot covers all railway lines in Slovakia on which ZSSK operates. While local bus and tram networks (such as those in Bratislava) are not included in this phase, the pilot represents a massive leap forward for national rail accessibility.
"Our goal for 2026 is to make the train the most natural choice for travel," says René Kubiš, Director of the Commercial Division, ZSSK. "By initiating this one-year nationwide pilot with FAIRTIQ, we are providing our passengers with a transparent, user-friendly tool that adapts to their needs in real-time. We are excited to see how this technology further modernises our national infrastructure."
A Milestone in global mobility
The launch is a part of ZSSK’s digital strategy. By integrating FAIRTIQ’s technology through an in-app link in their “IDeme vlakom” App, ZSSK is making smart ticketing available to its users from day one. This partnership allows ZSSK to leverage anonymised travel data to better understand passenger demand and optimise future services, all while adhering to the highest EU data privacy standards.
"Scaling our technology to a nationwide level with ZSSK is a proud milestone for us," says Gian-Mattia Schucan, Founder and co-CEO of FAIRTIQ. "By bringing our mobile pay-as-you-go solution to every line in Slovakia on which ZSSK operates, we are proving that smart, inclusive ticketing isn't just for cities, it's for entire nations. Slovakia is now a key part of our growing global network, demonstrating a clear commitment to making public transport the most attractive option for everyone."
Key features of the ZSSK nationwide pilot:
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Domestic Rail Focus – valid exclusively on regular ZSSK domestic rail services, including the Tatra Electric Railway (TEŽ) and Rack Railway (OŽ).
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Standard Fares – available for standard fare-paying passengers.
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For 2nd Class Travel – valid exclusively for travel in 2nd class.
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Integration with IDeme vlakom – accessible via ZSSK’s IDeme vlakom mobile application.
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Accurate Pricing – automatic calculation of the correct available fare.
ENDS
About FAIRTIQ
With over 350 million journeys, FAIRTIQ has established itself as the global leader and pioneer in postpaid ticketing and mobile pay-as-you-go (MPAYG) solutions. The platform serves more than one million active monthly users and is currently available in 13 countries: Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom. Across 27 regions, the app enhances accessibility and ease-of-use for public transport on a regional level, while providing nationwide coverage in three countries. Leading transport operators and authorities rely on FAIRTIQ’s solutions as the company continues its rapid international growth and global user expansion.
About ZSSK
Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK) is the national passenger rail carrier of Slovakia, providing essential transport services across the country’s domestic network. Operating thousands of daily services – including the iconic Tatra Electric Railway (TEŽ) and Rack Railway (OŽ) – ZSSK connects major urban centres with remote regions, remains focused on environmental sustainability, and is committed to making rail the most attractive and accessible mode of transport in Slovakia.
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