Ukrzaliznytsia Overhauls Regional Rail Service
Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraine's state railway operator, is restructuring its passenger service in the Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Poltava regions. Starting April 16 and 17, slower commuter trains will be replaced by faster regional trains on popular routes. This move aims to improve operational efficiency but will result in fewer stops and higher ticket prices. These changes are part of a broader effort to modernize Ukraine's rail network and improve its financial sustainability.
On key routes, accelerated regional trains will replace standard commuter trains. For instance, the fare for the Kyiv to Nizhyn route will rise to 120 UAH, up from the previous 75-86 UAH on a regular train. A ticket for the Kyiv to Hrebinka route will cost 135 UAH.
New Schedules and Route Assignments
From April 16, suburban train No. 6920 (Kyiv-Volynskyi – Nizhyn) will resume service, operating on weekdays from 5:00 PM to 8:04 PM. New routes will also be introduced starting April 17:
- No. 881 Hrebinka – Kyiv-Volynskyi
- No. 882 Kyiv-Volynskyi – Hrebinka
- No. 883 Hrebinka – Kyiv-Volynskyi
- No. 893 Konotop – Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi
- No. 894 Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi – Nizhyn
- No. 897 Nizhyn – Kyiv-Volynskyi
Other schedule adjustments include trains No. 6621 and No. 6623, which from April 16 will run from Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi to Teterev without stopping at Svyatoshyn. From April 17, trains No. 6009 and No. 6905 will be added to the daily schedule, including weekends.
The company is also rolling out new passenger services. Discounted tickets for passengers with disabilities can now be purchased online from a special quota. Students can buy discounted tickets for suburban and City Express trains directly through the Ukrzaliznytsia app.
Passengers can also pre-order food, drinks, sweets, books, and even dog treats when purchasing their tickets. Oleg Vasyliev noted that there is nothing wrong with Ukrzaliznytsia seeking to reduce losses and explore commercial opportunities, as the commuter segment has been a financial burden on the company for decades.
Furthermore, a new international rail link between Kyiv and Varna, Bulgaria, is planned for early summer, with an estimated travel time of up to 30 hours. Ukraine is preparing to launch this route, which will travel through Romanian territory.
These operational changes reflect Ukrzaliznytsia's drive to boost efficiency and cut financial losses. While faster regional trains may reduce travel times, the accompanying fare increases could pose a challenge for some passengers. The launch of new international routes, such as the one to Varna, signals the company's intent to expand its international presence and offer Ukrainians new travel options. Such initiatives have the potential to benefit the tourism sector and the broader regional economy.
As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance regional travel, Ukrzaliznytsia has also announced revised suburban train schedules effective from April 11. These changes aim to streamline services and improve accessibility for passengers. To learn more about the new routes and schedules that will complement the upcoming changes, visit the detailed announcement on suburban train updates.