- New cameras will monitor the activity of train drivers.
- Train drivers will receive cards to check their rest periods.
- The ETCS system will gradually be installed on the entire railway network.
The driver’s activity in the locomotive will be monitored by a camera. A driver’s card will also be introduced so that it can be checked whether he observes the mandatory rest period. This was stated by the Minister of Transport Jozef Ráž (nom. Smeru-SD) after Wednesday’s meeting of the government at presentation of some measures that should improve the safety of railway transport in Slovakia. In addition, according to his words, the railways will gradually be equipped with the ETCS (European Train Control System) system, respectively the GSM-R (Global System for Mobile Communications – Railway) system.
“Today, all locomotives have a camera pointed towards the rails. Additional cameras are being bought, which will be pointed towards the control room. It is simply a measure for a few euros, so that we can see what the driver is doing there, because he may be on a mobile phone, which is prohibited. Every driver is forbidden to do that, but the policeman does not stop the train driver and tell him that you have a fine because you were holding a mobile phone in your hand,” explained Ráž.
He pointed out that the ETCS systemwhich enables automatic braking or prevents accidents on the tracks, according to EU guidelines, it should be installed on the main railway network by 2030, which is 770 km. It is to be introduced on the extended network by 2040, and by 2050 it is to be implemented throughout Slovakia. “Today, we have more than 200 km equipped with the ETCS system. I think we can reach the 770 km by 2030,” he informed.
“Today we have installed the ETCS system in 89 trains, of which 31 trains were installed before the former government. Nothing was installed under the former government. And since the start of our administration, it is currently being assembled in 55 trains and has been ordered for 34 trains. This gives us a total number of 178 trains. However, this cannot be financed from the state budget, because it would be state aid, it is up to the individual (transport) providers,” he specified. According to him, the state could greatly benefit from the recovery plan in the implementation of ETCS into the infrastructure, because that is the task of the state, not the carrier.
Ráž announced that a driver’s card would be introduced. “Just as a tachograph is for a truck driver today, rest is mandatory for a locomotive driver. We often come across that locomotive drivers earn extra money for a private transporter during their free time.” he added. “Within two weeks, we will transform the mentioned proposals into measures, into concrete steps, and then it will be possible to read it already in the government’s resolution,” added the Minister of Transport.
