Ukrzaliznytsia has proposed to create a new budget passenger carrier for routes between Ukraine and the EU together with investors. The trains will run on European tracks, and around $441 million in investments is needed to launch the project. Earlier, UZ has already launched new international trains to Hungary, Austria, and Germany. This is reported by Gazeta.ua.
Ukrzaliznytsia plans budget trains to Berlin, Vienna, and Warsaw
The project of the new carrier was presented at the Carpathian Eight summit in Bukovel. Its concept provides for the use of European standard tracks, which will allow trains to move between Ukraine and EU countries without changing wheelsets.
The trains are planned to be sent from key railway hubs in western Ukraine. These include Uzhhorod, Lviv, and Kovel.
The potential route network covers Budapest, Bratislava, Warsaw, Vienna, and Berlin. Thus, the new operator should ensure connections of the western regions of Ukraine with major cities in Central and Eastern Europe.
To launch the carrier, it is planned to purchase modern rolling stock adapted to the European track gauge. The estimated investment needed for equity capital is around $441 million.
The project is currently at the stage of in-depth preparation. According to preliminary calculations, its implementation may take about four years.
Ukrzaliznytsia hopes to involve railway and road carriers from Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania for cooperation.
The European gauge already connects Uzhhorod with EU countries
The basis for the development of such transport is already being created. In September 2025, a new 22-kilometer section of European standard track was opened between Chop and the regional center in Uzhhorod. Thanks to this, Uzhhorod received direct railway connection to Bratislava, Budapest, and Vienna.
International routes on European tracks from Ukraine had been developed earlier as well. In late 2018, the Hungarian MÁV-START launched flights from Mukachevo to Budapest, and in June 2019, the Slovak ZSSK started operating from Mukachevo to Košice.
Since March 2024, the Czech private carrier RegioJet has been running flights from Chop to Prague. The company also cooperates with Ukrzaliznytsia on routes through Polish Przemyśl.
Another route appeared in October 2023 when the Polish SKPL launched trains from Warsaw to Rava-Ruska. There, passengers could transfer to Ukrzaliznytsia's services to Lviv and Kolomyia. In December 2024, PKP Intercity started operating on the route, while SKPL ceased transportation in September 2025.
The proposed budget operator is expected to expand this model to a much larger route network. A key condition will be the procurement of its own modern rolling stock for the European gauge and attracting private capital.
Previously, Inkorr reported on direct trains from Uzhhorod to Bratislava, Budapest, and Vienna.