Ukrainian Woman Raises Concerns Over Bed Linen Quality on Trains
Journalist Inna Varenitsa publicly criticized the condition of bedding provided by Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia). She reported that on a train traveling the Lviv–Kyiv route, the pillowcase smelled unpleasant, sparking her frustration. Varenitsa also pointed out that while the price for a bedding set has risen to between 95 and 180 hryvnias, the quality has not kept pace with the cost.
“The price of bed linen has gone up (95-180 UAH), but the same cannot be said for its quality. The photo shows a pillowcase on the flagship train No. 92 from Lviv to Kyiv. Both of our sets were in the same condition—I had to piece together a slightly cleaner one for my child recovering from surgery. The photo doesn’t capture the smell; it reeks of old sweat,” Varenitsa commented.
According to Varenitsa, she encountered dirty bedding on multiple trains over the course of a week. A conductor on a train heading to Mykolaiv admitted that 'this is what they deliver to us,' prompting her to send her ticket to Ukrainian Railways. The issue has sparked an active online debate, particularly on the social media platform Threads.
Ukrainian Railways’ Official Response
In response to the complaints, Ukrainian Railways attributed the problem to the sheer volume of laundry they handle daily—approximately 50,000 bedding sets pass through their industrial washing facilities. The company acknowledged that a portion of the linen does not return in pristine condition.
“This is an enormous volume, and most of the linen comes back from trips in less-than-ideal shape. Unfortunately, some passengers misuse it—wiping their hands after eating, grease, or even shoes—and such stains can be extremely difficult to remove completely, even with professional cleaning,” company representatives stated.
Additionally, Ukrainian Railways emphasized that passengers can request a free replacement set at any time. “That’s why every train always carries a reserve of clean linen. If you receive a set that raises doubts, simply contact the conductor and they will replace it at no charge. We understand this and take it seriously, because comfort during travel should be a basic standard,” the company stressed.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of maintaining passenger comfort amid rising service costs in Ukraine’s railway sector. As prices increase, travelers expect a fair balance between what they pay and the quality they receive. While Ukrainian Railways’ explanation points to logistical difficulties in handling large volumes of laundry, the call for better passenger care remains pressing. Greater attention to this issue could lead to improved service and higher customer satisfaction in the future.