Ukrzaliznytsia is switching to a new system where ticket prices will range from UAH 30 to UAH 150, depending on the distance.
Ukrzaliznytsia is adopting a new pricing model for suburban trains and introducing a six-zone tariff system. The ticket price will depend on the tariff zone covering a specific distance and will be fixed, regardless of the number of kilometers a passenger travels within that zone. This was reported by the «Sudovo-yurydychna hazeta» (Judicial-Legal Newspaper) and the PromPolitInform portal.
The new fares will be introduced gradually. Starting September 15, they will apply in the Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Zhytomyr regions; from September 22, they will apply in the Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, and Cherkasy regions.
Suburban train fares
The new six-zone tariff schedule sets the following fares:
up to 50 km — UAH 30;
51–90 km — UAH 55;
91–130 km — UAH 75;
131–170 km — UAH 95;
171–250 km — UAH 115; over 250 km — 150 UAH.
Thus, a single fixed price will apply within each fare zone, regardless of the actual distance traveled by the passenger inside that zone.
Why Ukrzaliznytsia is changing its fare system
Ukrzaliznytsia explained that the situation regarding suburban passenger transport remains difficult.
In particular, a number of administrative bodies chronically fail to pay for the transportation of passengers entitled to fare concessions. Furthermore, the costs of electricity, fuel, and other resources have risen significantly in recent years, driving up the cost of providing suburban transport services.
The company estimates that the shift to the new system will help partially reduce losses without significantly increasing the cost of travel.
At the same time, according to Ukrzaliznytsia, passengers traveling the maximum distances within a given fare zone will not experience any increase in fare costs at all.
Where and when the new fares will take effect
The implementation of the six-zone system will take place in stages.
From September 15, the new fares will apply in:
Kyiv region;
Chernihiv region;
Zhytomyr region.
From September 22, the new system will come into effect in:
Odesa region;
Dnipropetrovsk region;
Mykolaiv region;
Cherkasy region.
Plans are in place to subsequently extend the six-zone fare system to other regions of Ukraine as well. Ukrzaliznytsia noted that the changes are also intended to help preserve existing suburban routes and stops, as well as direct more funds toward the repair and modernization of suburban trains.
