Ukrzaliznytsia has announced adjustments to its train formation schedule, stating that these changes are necessary for the balanced distribution of freight traffic on the Pomichna-Podilsk and Pomichna-Chornomorska sections. This will also ensure stable operation of traction substations and rational use of locomotives, preventing excessive workloads for locomotive crews.
The company provided this information in response to an inquiry from EP.
In its statement, Ukrzaliznytsia noted that there are restrictions on train intervals and power supply on the mentioned routes.
Additionally, when making this decision, the existing and potential freight traffic towards Ukraine's largest port – MTP "Pivdenny" – has been taken into account.
The company also reminded that tariffs for freight transportation by rail within Ukraine are supposed to be indexed annually. However, this provision has not been regularly fulfilled in previous years, and the dynamics of tariff indexing for rail freight transport have significantly lagged behind the price changes for essential resources consumed by the railway.
"Specifically, since the last tariff review for freight transport, electricity prices have increased by 166%, diesel by 110%, spare parts for diesel locomotives by 217%, spare parts for electric locomotives by 22%, bearings by 37%, solid-rolled wheels by 20%, etc.", the company's statement reads.
As a result, as indicated in the response, these factors have deprived Ukrzaliznytsia of the ability to adequately perform repairs on infrastructure and rolling stock, and to index rail workers' salaries.
"At the same time, private companies have the ability to index tariffs due to cheaper logistics, which allows them to fulfill their own social obligations towards their employees, including the payment of a 13th salary," Ukrzaliznytsia advised.
Reminder:
Recently, PJSC "ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih" expressed its "concern" regarding the changes made by Ukrzaliznytsia to the train formation plan and the corresponding increase in tariff distance.
"We are extremely concerned about the change by Ukrzaliznytsia effective April 5, 2025, in the train formation plan for trains heading to the Odesa seaport, which has resulted in an increase of 257 km in tariff distance for trains carrying our products, consequently raising the cost of production significantly.
We consider this route change by the state monopoly Ukrzaliznytsia to be artificial and unfounded," the company's statement said.
The change in the tariff distance to the Odesa commercial seaport is viewed by "ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih" as "artificial and selective" and "does not rule out signs of targeted economic pressure on "ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih".