Ukrzaliznytsia Expands Fleet with Six New Family-Friendly Compartments
This spring, Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) is adding six new compartment cars designed specifically for children. The first three units have already entered service on the Lviv-Odesa and Kharkiv-Ivano-Frankivsk routes, offering a more comfortable travel experience for young passengers. Tickets for these family-oriented cars are available through the Ukrzaliznytsia mobile app and are clearly labeled as 'Children's' ('Dytiachyi'). Pricing matches that of a standard compartment-class ticket, and children up to and including age five ride free without a separate seat.
Where and When the New Cars Will Run
Here are the confirmed routes and launch dates:
- Train No. 011/012 (Lviv-Odesa): Tickets available from Lviv starting April 24, and from Odesa starting April 25.
- Train No. 001/002 (Kharkiv-Ivano-Frankivsk): Departures from Kharkiv begin May 2, and from Ivano-Frankivsk on May 3.
Three additional cars will be added to other passenger trains in the near future.
What’s inside: each new car is equipped with child-height handrails in the corridors, protective guards for upper bunks, playpens for safe sleeping, fold-down seats in restrooms, changing tables, bottle warmers, and collapsible ramps for accessibility. Onboard, a children's menu is available, featuring options like syrniki (Ukrainian cheese pancakes) or chicken nuggets with buckwheat. Every evening after departure from the origin station, an audio fairy tale created in collaboration with author Sashko Dermanskyi is played.
Starting April 25, Ukrzaliznytsia is introducing dynamic pricing for tickets, which may affect travel costs. The company launched its first children's car in August 2024 on the Kharkiv-Yasinia route in partnership with UNICEF, quickly followed by a second car on the Kharkiv-Uzhhorod line. These innovations aim to improve travel conditions for families with children.
The rollout of these new compartment cars marks a significant step for Ukrzaliznytsia, as it seeks to create more comfortable journeys for families. Beyond convenience, such upgrades are expected to attract more passengers, which could positively impact the company’s financial performance. Developing the family-friendly segment is thus becoming a key part of Ukrzaliznytsia’s long-term strategy.
In addition to the newly launched children's train cars, Ukrzaliznytsia has also unveiled a unique design inspired by a fairy tale forest, enhancing the travel experience for families. For more details on this enchanting concept and the features of the new compartments, you can read about it here.