Via Romania to Bulgaria: Ukraine Plans a New International Train
6 April 18:34
Ukraine is working on launching a new international rail route to the Bulgarian resort city of Varna. The project is being prepared for the summer tourist season.
This was reported by the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
The ministry notes that preliminary agreements regarding the route and schedule have already been reached.
What will the route be like?
The planned train will connect Ukraine with Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast via Romania.
The route will pass through the following cities:
- Kyiv
- Lviv
- Chernivtsi
- Suceava
- Bucharest
- Varna
The ministry emphasizes that the chosen route offers logistical advantages and may be convenient for passengers traveling between Ukraine and European Union countries.
How long will the trip take?
According to preliminary estimates, the travel time will be less than 30 hours.
This is roughly equivalent to the duration of a bus trip, but the railway can offer more comfortable conditions for passengers.
The final travel time will be determined after a test run.
Why is the new route being launched?
The Ministry of Community and Territorial Development emphasizes that the project is not only of tourist significance.
According to Minister Oleksiy Kuleba, a direct rail connection with Bulgaria is intended to expand opportunities for international mobility for Ukrainians and strengthen economic and humanitarian ties with European Union countries, even amid the war.
The ministry also views the route as a tool for developing international transport logistics.
Possible reduction in ticket prices
The Romanian side has tentatively agreed to the possibility of including the route in the PSO (Public Service Obligation) mechanism.
This mechanism allows countries to support socially important transport routes, which could lower ticket prices for passengers.
Negotiations on the application of this mechanism are still ongoing.
What’s next
Before launching the route, several technical and organizational steps must be completed:
- finalize the fare policy;
- conduct a test flight;
- agree on the technical details of operations across different countries.
If all procedures are completed on time, the new train could be launched as early as the start of the summer season.
