Resale of tickets: police conduct searches at Ukrzaliznytsia

11 December 2024 11:26

The National Police, with the assistance of Ukrzaliznytsia, is conducting investigative actions in the case of officials’ abuse of international passenger transportation. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" citing the National Police and Ukrzaliznytsia.

“Their goal is to stop the activities of an organized criminal group that has been parasitizing ordinary railroad workers. Searches and seizure of material evidence, interviews and detentions are being conducted. We apologize to passengers for any inconvenience (access restrictions, additional checks, or traffic delays), and we are doing everything possible to minimize them,” Ukrzaliznytsia said.

The National Police noted that it is a criminal proceeding on the facts of abuse by a group of officials of the Ukrzaliznytsia unit during the maintenance and transportation of passengers by international trains.

“The actions of the defendants led to significant losses and the creation of an artificial shortage of tickets for the most popular routes on the market,” the police said.

“In the morning of December 11, law enforcement officers are conducting investigative actions at the residences of the officials involved in the criminal schemes and in their offices. In addition, investigative actions will take place on international trains during their departure and arrival.

All details are promised to be made public after the investigation is completed.

Earlier, Ukrzaliznytsia reported that five rail ticket resellers were exposed in Kyiv. Their homes were searched and evidence of illegal activity was seized, including cell phones with third-party accounts, bank cards, and a large number of purchased tickets to different destinations.

As reported by [Kommersant] ukrainians began to complain on social media about problems with buying tickets for Ukrzaliznytsia trains. They say that immediately after the opening of sales 20 days before the planned trip, the app stops working. Once the “technical issues” are resolved, no more tickets can be purchased – they are all bought out. Previously, difficulties in purchasing tickets arose only for international flights, in particular from Kyiv to Chisinau or Warsaw. Now, problems arise even when buying tickets for trains within Ukraine, in particular to Mukachevo, Uzhhorod, Odesa, etc

Also, as reported earlier, social media users said that there are special chats where bribe-takers sell train tickets.

Ukrzaliznytsia responded to a request from "Komersant Ukrainian" reported that they continue to fight against bribery and actively cooperate with OLX to make it impossible to place tickets for sale there.

Остафійчук Ярослав

Editor