Ukrzaliznytsia has clarified the recent changes to its train scheduling plan, emphasizing that these decisions were made to optimize the flow of wagons on the Pomichna-Podilsk and Pomichna-Chornomorska routes, ensuring stable operation of traction substations and efficient use of locomotives, while preventing excessive workloads on locomotive crews.
The company provided this information in response to an inquiry from the media.
The statement from Ukrzaliznytsia noted that there are restrictions on the train passing intervals and on the supply of electricity on the mentioned routes.
Moreover, the decision took into account the existing and potential wagon flow towards Ukraine's largest port – the South Sea Trade Port, which is serviced by these routes.
The company also reminded that freight transport tariffs within Ukraine are supposed to be indexed annually. However, this norm has not been consistently followed in previous years, and the dynamics of tariff indexing for freight transport have significantly lagged behind changes in the prices of key resources used by the railway.
"Specifically, since the last review of freight tariffs, 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%, and solid wheels by 20%, etc.", the company stated.
As a result, these factors have limited Ukrzaliznytsia's ability to adequately maintain infrastructure and rolling stock, as well as to index railway workers' salaries.
"At the same time, private companies have the opportunity to index tariffs through reduced logistics costs, which partially allows them to meet their social obligations to their teams, including paying the 13th salary", the company advised.
It is worth noting:
Recently, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih expressed its "concern" regarding the changes made by Ukrzaliznytsia to the train scheduling plan and the corresponding increase in tariff distance.
"We are extremely concerned about the changes implemented by Ukrzaliznytsia from April 5, 2025, in the train scheduling plan for routes to the Port of Odesa, which has resulted in an increase in the tariff distance for trains carrying our products by 257 km, leading to a significant rise in production costs.
We consider this route change by the state monopoly Ukrzaliznytsia to be artificial and unjustified", the company stated.
Changes in the tariff distance to the Odesa sea trade port are seen by ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih as "artificial and selective" and "do not exclude the possibility of deliberate economic pressure on ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih".