Timetables are working, interest in buses is growing

The introduction of fixed-interval schedules in regional transportation in eastern Slovakia is yielding results. New passengers are joining the routes where services run at regular intervals.

Fixed-interval schedules mean that buses depart from the same stop at the same minute every time—usually every 30, 60, or 120 minutes. This makes it easy for passengers to remember departure times, and another advantage is that it minimizes exceptions in the operation of individual services.

“A proven way to get people to use bus transportation is to offer a clear and simple schedule of routes. We’ve seen a relatively rapid increase in passenger interest, among other places, on the frequent service routes between Prešov, Spišské Podhradie, and Poprad, where the number of passengers carried has increased by more than 16% over the past year. “Experience shows that if routes are well-planned and run regularly, they can attract new passengers, and public transportation becomes more appealing,” said Milan Majerský, chairman of the Prešov Self-Governing Region.

Currently, scheduled bus service is in operation in Spiš and Gemer. In other regions, it is being introduced gradually, with priority given to major routes. Since it is already in widespread operation on the rail network, the goal of bus service is to systematically connect with trains at major transfer points.

“The results of implementing fixed-interval schedules in the Košice Region are very encouraging. For example, Gemer region already has regular-interval service fully implemented—buses run regularly at set intervals, and people are demonstrably using them, as seen on the Rožňava–Štítnik route, where the number of passengers has increased by 100,000 since 2022. Current plans for this year include the introduction of fixed-interval service on key routes in the Zemplín region,” said Rastislav Trnka, chairman of the Košice Self-Governing Region.

A long-term comparison of data between 2022 and 2025 shows that the number of passengers is steadily increasing on routes with fixed-interval schedules. The following examples illustrate this:

• Poprad – Dobšiná – Rožňava: Over the past 3 years, the number of passengers carried has increased by 47,000 per year, representing a rise of nearly 24%.
• Košice – Sečovce – Vranov nad Topľou – Humenné: Over the past three years, the number of passengers carried has increased by nearly 55,000 per year, representing an increase of more than 20%.
• Košice – Prešov – Bardejov: Over the past 3 years, the number of passengers carried has increased by approximately 75,000 per year, representing a 13% increase.
• Poprad – Svit – Vyšné Hágy: Over the past three years, the number of passengers carried has increased by nearly 50,000 per year, representing an increase of more than 35%.
• Rožňava – Štítnik: Over the past 3 years, the number of passengers carried has increased by a full 100,000 per year, representing an increase of more than 36%.
• Spišská Nová Ves – Hrabušice/Betlanovce: Over the past 3 years, the number of passengers carried has increased by nearly 61,000 per year, representing an increase of more than 36%.

TS: PSK, KSK, IDS Východ
Foto: shutterstock