Wagon Service s.r.o is a private Slovakia-based wagon rental and leasing company which has recently joined Forum Train Europe. Wagon Service additionally provides specialized rail transport, organizes special trains, and promotes overnight rail travel in Europe. Supported by their own workshop and highly experienced technical staff. Wagon service works with railway operators across Central and Eastern Europe to provide high quality rolling stock for a range of purposes. To celebrate Wagon Service’s entry into FTE, we sat down with their new owner Albert Fikáček to discuss his company, its goals, and its place in FTE.
What is your name, where are you from, and what position do you hold at Wagon Service?
My name is Albert Fikáček, I come from Brno, Czechia and I am the proud owner of Wagon Service s.r.o. My original field is energetics, but I have to say that I am more than happy to be in the railway business now.
How did you become involved with Wagon Service?
During the pandemic, the former owner of Wagon Service, Ivan Gálik, decided that it would be best to hand the company over to someone who wanted to continue the work he had started. Therefore, we agreed to buy the business.
Is Wagon Service currently operating? If so, what kinds of services do you run and where? - related to that, in what countries do you hold an operating license?
Wagon Service currently provides coaches on the routes Humenné-Prague, Humenné-Bratislava, Bratislava-Split and Berlin-Brussels. In addition, we also run a non-profit project called VlakFest.cz, which aims to introduce the railway industry to young people in an attractive light. I may mention special Prague-Sarajevo Express 2023, where we prepared an attractive program for passengers, including lectures and workshops about Bosnian history and culture. For 2024, we are preparing a special train to Moldova. We are also very active in humanitarian aid, both during the refugee crisis and in the event of natural disasters. WSBA does not have any license, however some of its subsidiaries are small local carriers. For instance, Gepard Express is supplying a night return service between Vienna airport and Brno, so passengers can return home from late arrival or catch the very early morning airlines departures.
What kind of rolling stock does Wagon Service operate?
At the moment we only have 10 couchette vehicles and 4 sleeper vehicles suitable for high mileage operation, however we are now negotiating an investment and would like to increase the number to 50. The secondary fleet consists of 20 carriages suitable for occasional or festival services, with which we make trips around Europe and attract young people to work on the railway.
Where do you wish to operate your coaches in the future, and what are your long-term plans for Wagon Service?
The long-term plan is to return to the pre-pandemic situation. We would like to be a reliable partner and supplier for Railway Undertakings. Building our own larger rail repair facility is a must for us.
Why did you become a member of FTE? What do you feel is the added value, or hope the added value to be of membership?
The FTE is a great asset to European railways. It is an ideal platform for our region to solve technical complications and build relationships. I hope we will make more use of the potential in the future regarding the possibility to have a say in the future direction of the railway and especially in legislative changes.
In March of 2023 you attended your first timetabling conference (FTE B Passenger) in Ljubljana, Slovenia - how did you feel about this conference and what were you able to achieve through your attendance?
The FTE meeting in Ljubljana is a great benefit for us, we have arranged new business at the very first one. For me personally it is very beneficial to meet people who are driving European railways.
Learn more about Wagon Service at their website, https://www.wagonservice.sk/