A critical train safety system, ETCS, has been unexpectedly taken offline on a major Slovak railway line, raising concerns about reduced speeds and increased risk. Originally scheduled for a brief shutdown until the end of June for modernization work, railway operator ŽSR has now extended the outage until the end of the year. This prolonged disruption means trains are operating at slower speeds and with a heightened risk of incidents due to the lack of the advanced safety features provided by ETCS. ŽSR has not publicly explained the reason for the extended shutdown. The delay impacts a key rail corridor and has prompted questions about infrastructure maintenance and safety protocols. The lack of a functioning ETCS system raises anxieties among rail passengers and industry professionals. Officials have yet to detail contingency plans to mitigate the increased risks during the extended outage.