Joint Stock Company "Ukrzaliznytsia" (UZ) is in negotiations to establish passenger service between Warsaw and Rava-Ruska using rolling stock from the Polish state operator PKP Intercity, which could commence on December 15, as reported by UZ's press service.
"Discussions between UZ and PKP IC regarding the launch of the train service from Warsaw to Rava-Ruska are ongoing. This matter has been addressed at all international meetings involving the companies," the press service of UZ stated in response to a request from the Interfax-Ukraine agency.
It is clarified that the agreement with the Polish company SKPL, which provides rolling stock on the Rava-Ruska – Warsaw route under contract with UZ, is valid until December 14, 2024.
"According to information from PKP IC, the train service from Warsaw to Rava-Ruska can be launched using PKP rolling stock no earlier than December 15, 2024. PKP IC is exploring the allocation of rolling stock. Additionally, both parties are considering arranging a test trip on the Warsaw - Rava-Ruska route," UZ's press service reported.
PKP IC is contemplating the launch of a train consisting of 4 carriages with seating for 1st and 2nd class. Passenger transport will be conducted by the Kolomyia - Rava-Ruska train (DPCP) which will bring passengers to the SKPL train - IF-U, as stated in UZ's response.
"The launch of this route presents an opportunity to replace the rolling stock with a more comfortable option (equipped with air conditioning, power outlets, two restrooms in each carriage, and a greater number of seats). Consequently, the change in rolling stock and train schedule will lead to an increase in the occupancy rate (fill rate - IF-U) of the train," the company emphasized.
Passenger transport by rail in international service will be carried out by PKP IC in accordance with the terms of the Agreement on International Passenger Transport and the Special Conditions for International Transport (SCIC) for trips based on travel documents in the east-west communication (EWT, East - West tariff). When organizing train movements in international service under these conditions, each railway in the train's route establishes its own tariff for its territory and for the carriages it operates, which are announced in euros and calculated in the national currency of the country where the travel document is issued on the date of issuance. The estimated cost of travel can be determined after PKP IC announces the route and price for the segment of the journey within Poland, UZ also reported.
The company noted that the demand for rail service to Warsaw remains consistently high. Tickets for train No. 67/68 Kyiv - Warsaw are sold out on the first day of availability. A transfer service from trains in Chełm to Warsaw has also been organized.
From October 15, 2023 (when the service on the Rava-Ruska - Warsaw route using SKPL rolling stock was launched - IF-U) to September 21, 2024, the average occupancy (fill rate) of the train on the route from Rava-Ruska to Warsaw was 85%, with 104.4 thousand passengers transported.
UZ also reminded that the Polish operator PKP had previously operated in Ukraine: until 2013, train No. 35/36 ran on the Wrocław – Lviv route. The route utilized RIC carriages from PKP IC. The train consisted of 4 carriages and departed every other day.
It was previously reported that UZ and the Polish state railways PKP agreed on developing infrastructure to resume intermodal transport in the Eurasian railway corridor.