Eastern Slovakia trains get security guards after vandal attacks

Aggressive behaviour by fare-dodging passengers has been on the rise in eastern Slovakia, with riders throwing stones, swearing and spitting at train staff. Because of the growing number of physical attacks, private security guards will be deployed on some regional trains starting October 1.

Conductors say the repeated incidents are taking a toll on their mental health. "We're mentally exhausted from these incidents that keep happening day after day," says conductor Sylvia Capeková. Her colleague Sylvia Marcinčinová confirms that the attacks aren't just verbal but physical too.

Fare-dodgers often hide under seats or in the toilets, and when caught, refuse to get off the train, sparking confrontations. When a conductor or train manager blocks such a passenger from boarding, stones start flying in response. "There have been cases where people threw stones straight into the carriage as soon as the doors opened," said Marián Surmík, head of the Poprad locomotive depot. Damage to rolling stock is estimated at tens to hundreds of euros.

Six fines have been issued this year for illegally stopping and delaying trains. The fine for delaying a passenger train is 100 euros (2,440 crowns), plus another 20 euros (488 crowns) for every three minutes of further delay. Vandals are often identified from body-camera footage worn by train staff, but collecting the fines isn't always possible.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz