Expansion of Women-Only Carriages in Ukraine
Starting May 1, 2024, Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) will introduce women-only compartments on three additional train routes: Kharkiv-Odesa, Lviv-Odesa, and Lviv-Kyiv. This expansion will bring the total number of routes offering women-only compartments to 18. These carriages have proven highly popular, with an occupancy rate exceeding 92% and a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of around 87%. Women-only carriages are standard sleeper compartments available at regular prices—no surcharges apply—and are designated as car number 5.
The new routes launching on May 1 include Train No. 7 Kharkiv-Odesa, Train No. 12 Lviv-Odesa, and Train No. 92 Lviv-Kyiv. The initiative first rolled out in the summer of 2023, when Ukrzaliznytsia launched women-only compartments. Following a successful debut, three more routes were added in July of that year, raising the total to 15.
Complete List of Routes with Women-Only Compartments
Driven by strong demand, consistently high occupancy (over 92%), and an NPS of roughly 87%, Ukrzaliznytsia is steadily increasing the number of these carriages. A petition advocating for women-only compartments gathered more than 25,000 signatures, underscoring significant public interest in this service among Ukrainian travelers.
The full roster of routes with women-only compartments as of May 1 is as follows:
- No. 1/2 Kharkiv - Vorokhta
- No. 3/4 Zaporizhzhia - Uzhhorod
- No. 5/6 Zaporizhzhia - Yasinia
- No. 7 Kharkiv - Odesa (new)
- No. 12 Lviv - Odesa (new)
- No. 15/16 Kharkiv - Yasinia
- No. 17/18 Kharkiv - Uzhhorod
- No. 22/21 Lviv - Kharkiv
- No. 25/26 Odesa - Yasinia
- No. 29/30 Kyiv - Uzhhorod
- No. 37/38 Kyiv - Zaporizhzhia
- No. 41/42 Dnipro - Truskavets
- No. 43/44 Cherkasy - Ivano-Frankivsk
- No. 75/76 Kyiv - Kryvyi Rih
- No. 81/82 Kyiv - Uzhhorod
- No. 92 Lviv - Kyiv (new)
- No. 95/96 Kyiv - Rakhiv
- No. 97/98 Kovel - Kyiv
These changes aim to enhance comfort and safety for women during travel, an increasingly important consideration in modern society.
Introducing women-only carriages in Ukraine marked a significant step toward improving safety and comfort for female passengers.
The strong interest in this service, reflected in the high number of petition signatures, highlights the public's desire for more comfortable travel conditions. The expansion of the route network demonstrates that Ukrzaliznytsia is responding to consumer demand and is willing to adapt its offerings accordingly.
In addition to the newly introduced women-only carriages, Ukrzaliznytsia is also enhancing travel experiences for families by launching family-friendly compartments on key routes. This initiative reflects the railway's commitment to accommodating diverse passenger needs, ensuring comfort and safety for all travelers.