“Ukrzaliznytsia is on the verge of stopping: Leshchenko warned in the Rada about the rise in ticket prices
5 November 11:23
All of Ukrzaliznytsia’s resources have been exhausted, and the company’s financial situation is becoming critical. If the situation does not change, the Ukrainian railroad may shut down completely. This was stated by Sergiy Leshchenko, a member of the Supervisory Board of Ukrzaliznytsia, during a speech in the Verkhovna Rada, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
“All resources are exhausted – the railroad may stop”
During a report to the Verkhovna Rada, he emphasized that the company had lost almost half of its freight traffic – 49%.
“All resources have been exhausted. Soon the railroad may stop completely. We need to save it,” Leshchenko emphasized.
He said that in the first nine months of 2025, the company’s net losses amounted to UAH 7.19 billion, and without government support, the situation could become critical.
According to Leshchenko, the railroad needs government support at the expense of taxpayers to continue operating.
State support and new approaches to pricing
Leshchenko said that this year the government plans to provide Ukrzaliznytsia with UAH 13 billion from the state budget, and in 2026 – UAH 16 billion.
At the same time, the company is looking for ways to increase its own revenues. One of these solutions will be the introduction of dynamic pricing, i.e., changes in ticket prices depending on demand.
“It is planned that prices for Intercity’s economy and 1st class tickets will increase during peak periods,” he said.
What is the UZ-3000 program?
During his speech, Leshchenko also presented the UZ-3000 program, which is seen as a social initiative.
According to him, it does not require budgetary expenditures, but involves the use of unsold tickets during off-peak seasons for social transportation.
“It is impossible to ride for free during the peak season. But during periods of low demand, some of the unsold seats can be used as a social program,” Leshchenko explained.
What is known about UZ-3000
The initiative, known as UZ-3000, is part of a broader Winter Support program that the government is to prepare by November 15 on behalf of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
According to the idea, Ukrainians will be able to travel by train for free for distances of up to three thousand kilometers.
Ukrzaliznytsia explained that the program is designed to help people meet with their relatives, visit the military, or spend time with their children in vacation camps.
At the same time, the initiative drew critical reactions from politicians and experts alike.
Economists, in particular, emphasize that UZ itself is in a critical financial situation. The company shows staggering imbalance figures: passenger transportation brings in about UAH 7 billion in revenue, while its expenses exceed UAH 30 billion. Accordingly, the need for additional financing of passenger transportation this year will amount to UAH 23-24 billion, and next year – UAH 26 billion.
As Kommersant Ukrainsky wrote, the Cabinet of Ministers should demand a report and reassessment of Ukrzaliznytsia’s management.
