Tourist Bus Corridor Launched
A new route for tourist buses has been introduced at the Ukraine-Romania border, utilizing the Diakivtsi – Rakovets crossing point. This corridor is currently open only for departures from Ukraine and will remain operational until the end of summer. Bus drivers must register in the E-Cherha (electronic queue) system before crossing.
Located in Chernivtsi region, the Diakivtsi – Rakovets checkpoint has become a key travel link for tourist buses, especially as the summer season begins. Andriy Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, noted that the number of tourist buses at checkpoints in Chernivtsi region increases significantly during peak season. He emphasized that
“since the Ukrainian-Romanian border remains the most popular direction, we have arranged with the Romanian side for the temporary passage of buses of all sizes through the Diakivtsi – Rakovets checkpoint.”
Statistics and Significance of the New Route
According to the State Border Guard Service, around 350–400 buses crossed the border daily during the spring months. On some weekends in June, that figure reached 580 buses. Approximately 50% of passenger traffic from Ukraine passes through the Polish border, while the Moldovan border accounts for about 20%.
The addition of this corridor through Diakivtsi – Rakovets represents a significant step in supporting tourist transportation between Ukraine and Romania. Drivers planning to use this route must register in the E-Cherha system to ensure a smooth crossing.
This new bus route highlights the growing demand for tourist travel between Ukraine and Romania, which could boost tourism in both countries. It also reflects cross-border cooperation in streamlining customs procedures and easing travel for visitors. The ability for buses to cross without major delays may positively impact the regional economy, particularly the tourism sector.
This new route not only facilitates smoother travel for tourists but also complements recent changes at the border. For instance, large buses are now permitted to cross the border via the Diakivtsi checkpoint, enhancing the capacity for passenger transport. Such developments underline the increasing significance of cross-border tourism between Ukraine and Romania, promising an uplift in travel opportunities for visitors.