Kyiv-Bratislava train to be launched in December

Passenger traffic is gradually growing, which requires an increase in routes.

A new Kyiv-Bratislava train will start running in mid-December. Details were announced following the meeting of the Ukrainian-Slovak Joint Commission.

Representatives of Slovakia said that an agreement had been reached on the implementation of a Kyiv-Bratislava railway connection with the possibility of changing trains at the Chop station. This route takes into account the already started construction of the European gauge line in Ukraine between Chop and Uzhhorod, as well as the possible future direct line Uzhhorod – Chop – Kosice – Bratislava. There is also the prospect of extending the route to other European countries. The new train is expected to be successfully launched in mid-December. The Kyiv-Bratislava train could have a significant impact on transport.

Ukrainian officials have noted that the volume of rail freight traffic has been growing both last year and this year. Passenger traffic is also gradually increasing. For future development, it is important to develop an appropriate international rail passenger service between Ukraine and Slovakia.

The Slovak side reported that it had managed to launch an appropriate instrument to attract funding from third countries to support relevant projects on both sides of the border that would contribute to Ukraine’s recovery. The first agreement is expected to be signed this month.
Ukraine has also expressed interest in expanding the necessary capacity of the Malyi Berezny-Ubl’a border crossing. There are plans to open the Pavlovo-Matiovce railway crossing point, which currently operates only as a freight crossing point, for passenger traffic.

In the energy sector, the parties reaffirmed their plans to reconstruct the Mukachevo – Veľké Kapušany interconnector.