Many people have seen postcard images of Bratislava's beautiful, baroque old town. However, the old town is just a small part of the city. The majority of Bratislava's skyline is dominated by tower blocks. There are many buildings that are in decay such as this almost disused train station, Predmestie. Although Predmestie Station is still used, it is almost in a state of disrepair. The ticket office is shut, the ticket machines are broken and the cafe hasn't been used since the collapse of communism in 1989. Thanks to lack of sufficient funds, Slovakia's rail network is falling apart. Many trains are old, noisy, slow. and are often daubed in graffiti like the one above. They also have brakes that squeak so loudly, you can hear them from half a mile away. The interiors of such trains are grubby and have toilets which are almost holes in the train.
It seems that Predmestie station hasn't been renovated since the 1970s. Sadly, the place has become a magnet for junkies, winos and graffiti artists. Avoid this place at all costs!!
2 comments:
surely, predmestie is big pity and shame. however most of train station around bratislava (and including bratislava-petrzalka) are newly renovated (or in case of petrzalka station - built). IC and express train are OK, loud and noisy are maybe the old slow trains.
now, having the express fee discontinued, you should finally have enough money to take one of the fast trains ;-) (i know there are even some fast trains with squeaking breaks and full of graffiti - but i think graffiti comes from the US, ain't it?)
Thanks for your comment. I know there are new trains and stations such as the one in Pezinok. However, it will take a long time until all old rolling stock is replaced and the tracks are modernized. I haven't been to the one in Petrzalka yet, but I look forward to seeing such improverments.
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