Ukrzaliznytsia reveals why escalators at Kyiv’s Central Station remain out of service

Escalator breakdowns plague Kyiv’s Central Station

According to Главком: Passengers transferring from the railway platforms at Kyiv’s Central Station to the Vokzalna metro station have been voicing frustration over non-functional lifts in the underground passageway. The escalator issues at the station have persisted for years. As user Oleksiy Gordeev put it,

“There are three eternal things: fire, water, and Ukrzaliznytsia’s broken escalators at Kyiv’s Central Station.”

This situation creates significant inconvenience, especially for travelers burdened with heavy luggage.

Repair status and challenges

Ukrzaliznytsia’s press service confirmed that preparatory work is currently underway for a comprehensive overhaul of the escalator equipment. A large portion of the components and systems have been in operation for many years, and some parts are no longer mass-produced, complicating the repair process. The company explained that the repairs require lengthy technical assessments, approval of specialized tasks, and strict adherence to safety regulations.

Furthermore, Ukrzaliznytsia acknowledged the constraints of limited funding under martial law.

“We apologize for the temporary inconvenience and thank passengers for their patience. Preparatory work for repairs continues,”

the press service stated. Notably, in October of last year, a Heavy Duty escalator installed in the station’s vestibule in 2022 partially stopped working.

In early January 2022, Ukrzaliznytsia announced the installation of two new Heavy Duty escalators, each capable of carrying up to 11,000 passengers per day. The old escalator had a capacity of about 7,300 passengers per day.

Oleksiy Gordeev also remarked:

“The script is good. But the customer experience is shaped right now, when you’re holding a 40-kilogram suitcase and have to drag it up the stairs.”

As a result, passengers continue to hope for a swift resolution to the escalator problems, which are a critical part of the station’s infrastructure.

The ongoing escalator troubles at Kyiv’s Central Station underscore the need for infrastructure upgrades to ensure comfortable and safe passenger mobility. Ukrzaliznytsia is already working on a solution, but uncertain funding amid martial law may slow progress. This issue remains a pressing concern for the thousands of daily commuters who rely on this major transport hub.

While the ongoing escalator issues at Kyiv’s Central Station continue to inconvenience travelers, the city is also grappling with extensive road repairs that contribute to traffic congestion. To understand where the most significant delays are occurring, you can explore the latest updates on current roadworks in Kyiv.