JSC "Ukrzaliznytsia" has introduced new amendments to its train formation plan, emphasizing that these changes are made to optimize the flow of freight cars on the Pomichna-Podilsk and Pomichna-Chornomorska routes. This is also intended to ensure stable operation of traction substations and rational use of locomotives while avoiding excessive workloads for locomotive crews.
The company provided this information in response to an inquiry from the EP.
Ukrzaliznytsia noted that there are restrictions on train intervals and limitations on electricity supply on the mentioned routes.
Furthermore, when making decisions, they took into account the current and potential freight flow towards Ukraine's largest port – MTP "Pivdenny", which is serviced by these routes.
The company emphasized that freight transportation tariffs within Ukraine should be indexed annually. However, this requirement has not been consistently met in previous years, and the dynamics of tariff indexing for rail freight transport have significantly lagged behind price changes for key resources consumed by the railway.
"In particular, 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%, solid-rolled wheels by 20%, and so forth," the company stated.
As a result, as mentioned in the response, these factors have limited JSC "Ukrzaliznytsia"'s ability to adequately carry out repairs on infrastructure and rolling stock, as well as to index salaries for railway workers.
"At the same time, private companies have the opportunity to index tariffs due to reduced logistics costs, which somewhat allows them to fulfill their social obligations towards their teams, including making 13th salary payments," Ukrzaliznytsia advised.
Reminder:
Recently, JSC "ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih" expressed "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 changes that JSC "Ukrzaliznytsia" has implemented since April 5, 2025, to the train formation plan heading to the Odesa Sea Trade Port, 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 believe such route changes by the state monopoly "Ukrzaliznytsia" are artificial and unfounded," the company stated.
The alteration of the tariff distance to the Odesa Sea Trade Port is considered by "ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih" to be "artificial and selective" and they do not rule out the possibility of targeted economic pressure on "ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih".