ZSSK, the Slovak national carrier, was founded in 2005 and has since become a key player in passenger transport across Slovakia. Daily, ZSSK operates an average of 1,818 trains, serving approximately 200,000 passengers per day. The company transports more than 70 million passengers p.a., connecting cities, towns, and rural areas through an extensive rail network. As of January 2025, ZSSK employs 5,330 employees, ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of its services while maintaining a commitment to safety and customer satisfaction. ZSSK takes pride in a nearly 180-year tradition of railway transport in Slovakia.
The variety of special transport services ZSSK offers reflects the company’s ability to adapt to diverse customer needs. These services include charter trains for events, transportation of large groups, and special routes for cultural, sport or teambuilding events.
ZSSK, the Slovak national carrier, offers special transport – special trains or adding a special carriage to the regular trains. A special train may have a capacity of up to 800 people. According to the number of passengers and the route of the train, an economical solution is always proposed – either a special train or attaching a carriage or carriages to a regular train.
PARTY CARRIAGE ZSSK AS A SYMBOL OF THE DIVERSITY OF ZSSK SPECIAL TRANSPORTS
Very popular is a party carriage named WGmeer. It offers a diverse range of applications within events. The maximum capacity of the party carriage is 80 standing passengers or 20 sitting passengers.
Exterior of the Party Carriage WGmeer.
Party carriage WGmeer may be a part of a special train or may be coupled in a regular train – the high-demanded service is attaching the party carriage to the Ex trains on the main train route in the Slovak Republic from the Capital Bratislava hl.st via Žilina to second Slovakia´s largest city Košice (443 km) and back. The maximum speed of party carriage WGmeer is 160 kph. The party carriage meets the requirements of RIC (Regolamento Internazionale delle Carrozze). The virtual tour is available here.
On the occasion of the 175th anniversary of railways in Slovakia, the ZSSK introduced a new design cover of the party carriage WGmeer in Summer 2023, featuring a design by Slovak artist Luka Brase.
– 43´´ LCD monitor
– notebook
– 2 wireless microphones
– DJ controller
– 2 subwoofers
– 8 reproductors
– 1 amplifier
Party Carriage WGmeer: A Stylish Choice for Interior Transformation
– LED strips on the ceiling
– 2 pinspots
– 20 synthetic-leather armchairs
– 17 steel chairs
– 9 side tables (In case of conference seating 8 of them may be connected together)
Additional equipment of the social carriage includes an electric kettle, a microwave, and 2 refrigerators. The WGmeer party carriage is air-conditioned.
According to customers’ demand, the party carriage may be equipped by
– 20 synthetic-leather armchairs
– 17 steel chairs
– 9 side tables (In case of conference seating 8 of them may be connected together)
The WGmeer party carriage is always provided with the technical staff.
THE HIGHLIGHTS OF ZSSK SPECIAL TRANSPORTS IN 2024 WITH A PARTY CARRIAGE WGmeer
In 2024, ZSSK provided several special transports, 30 of them with the party carriage. Here are highlighted some of them where a party carriage WGmeer was utilized. These special transport services with the use of a party carriage belong to the most diverse.
TRANSPORT OF PERFORMERS FROM ONE CONCERT TO ANOTHER
Passengers had the opportunity to measure their blood pressure, oxygen levels, cholesterol, etc.
On Saturday, February 24th, 2024, two carriages (WGmeer and compartment carriage Bmz) were attached to train IC 44 on the Košice – Bratislava-Nové Mesto route to transport performers of “YOUR 90’s SHOW“ from the event in Košice to an event in Bratislava. The concerts in Košice and Bratislava featured 90´s music stars such as 2 Unlimited, Haddaway, Eiffel 65, Culture Beat, La Bouche, Snap! or Dr. Alban.
“THE FIT TRAIN”
The event took place on Party carriage attached to Express trains Bratislava – Košice and back in August and September 2024.
The “Fit Train” event was a commercial activity at a party carriage WGmeer hosted by a health insurance company. Passengers of some of the Express trains running on the route Bratislava hl.st. – Košice and back (8 stops) had the opportunity to measure their blood pressure, body fat and muscle ratio, oxygen levels, cholesterol, and uric acid in their blood. Additionally, they could consult with a physiotherapist, undergo an eye examination, and have their moles checked. Health prevention services were further expanded to include dental hygiene advice and information on the harmful effects of smoking.
THE “KAVEJ” MOVIE PRESS CONFERENCE
Footage of scenes from the movie Kavej.
For clients who are interested in filming movie scenes, ZSSK can arrange a special train according to their requirements and according to assessement in terms of transport safety and technical feasibility.
Since the scenes of one of the most successful Slovak comedies, the movie “Kavej”, were also filmed on special ZSSK trains, the film’s representatives decided to hold a press conference for the movie on May 8th 2024, on a party carriage WGmeer, at the Bratislava main station. The film was seen by 298,025 viewers in Slovak cinemas between July and the end of 2024, when it premiered.
REDROOM TECHNO TRAIN 2024
In the Autumn of 2024, a commercial special transport, the “REDROOM Techno Train 2024”, took place from Bratislava to Košice and back. The special train consisted of a 2nd class seating carriage and a party carriage. The journey brought a unique techno experience on rails.
Fans on the Hockey Train
HOCKEY TRAINS
On the occasion of the IIHF World Championship in May 2024, seven pairs of special trains were dispatched to the hockey matches from Košice to Ostrava-Vítkovice (362 km) and back. ZSSK offered a package deal that included a round-trip ticket, match tickets and a fan scarf. The train had a capacity of about 400 passengers and had a Party carriage, where travelers could enjoy entertainment and purchase refreshments.
“THE CHRISTMAS EXPRESS”
Christmas train
From December 9th to 13th, 2024, during the journey between Bratislava and Košice, passengers had the opportunity to create their own Christmas decorations under the guidance of instructors from the “Ateliér tvor.ba”. They could also enjoy the Christmas atmosphere on board the Express train.
The booking for the Christmas Express workshop event was recommended. Passengers could select a 45-minute time slot for a workshop on their specific train. In both events, passengers were required to have valid travel tickets.
Additionally, passengers could contribute to a charity fundraiser via QR codes placed in the party carriage.
SPECIAL TRAIN “500 SLOVAK KILOMETERS”
At the end of May 2024, just like in 2023, ZSSK provided special train transport for vintage cars from Bratislava to Košice. In 2024, 80 vintage cars were transported on 8 car transport wagons.
A special train transport for vintage cars from Bratislava to Košice
The special train also included two seating carriages and a party carriage. After being unloaded in Košice, the vehicles headed to the Hlavná Street located in the centre of Košice. The vintage rally 500 SLOVAK KILOMETERS, organized under the patronage of FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens), kicked off the following day, 27th May 2024.
ZSSK is already planning several events for 2025. From February 3rd, 2025, to 15th March 202,5 the party carriage operated on some Express trains between Košice and Bratislava in case the restaurant carriage was absent. A similar event was carried out by ZSSK in the Summer and Autumn of 2023 and received positive feedback.
ZSSK is also interested in participating in the 70th anniversary of the Východná Folklore Festival by providing the party carriage for a PR activity. We are already looking forward to the special train “500 Slovak Kilometers”, which will run on the Bratislava – Poprad-Tatry route in May 2025, as well as other special transport services for our customers.
