ZSSK's Class 561 started passenger service

ZSSK continues to modernise its fleet. On 15 February 2024 at 10.30 the first KISS, 561.103, was put into regular operation at Nové Zámky in the presence of representatives of the Slovak Ministry of Transport and the management of Stadler and ZSSK. Two other EMUs, 561.102 and 104, also took their first passengers that day. All three KISSes serve on the busy lines in western Slovakia, namely Bratislava - Trenčín and Bratislava - Nové Zámky. The fourth unit, 561.101, damaged at VUZ Velim in July 2023, is now at the Stadler Siedlec works for repair.

State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport Denisa Žiláková added: "Today is an important milestone for the Slovak railways. For the first time we are deploying EMUs with such a large capacity. We managed to secure resources for them from the old EU funds. Of course, this is also a commitment for the future. We want to modernise the entire Slovak railway infrastructure so that it becomes an attractive and comfortable alternative to individual car transport. I believe that thanks to the efforts of the entire railway industry and thanks to the EU funds, we will be able to move towards modern and reliable rail transport worthy of the 21st century."