The Cabinet of Ministers has set a state order for domestic passenger transportation by rail at UAH 16 billion in 2026. The Ministry of Communities and Territories Development has announced this, the Ukrainian News agency reports.
It is also reported that the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to launch an experimental mechanism of state order for domestic long-distance passenger transportation, which is a gradual transition to the European model of PSO (Public Service Obligation), when the state systematically compensates the carrier for the difference between the real cost of transportation and the current socially affordable tariffs.
The Ministry notes that today the actual cost of a trip is on average more than three times the ticket price, while tariffs remain as affordable as possible, which is especially important under martial law, when the railway is used by the military, their families, internally displaced persons and millions of citizens across the country.
"For 2026, the volume of the state order for passenger transportation is set at UAH 16 billion. These funds will cover the main long-distance routes to keep the country connected. The state will not only order services, but also control their implementation," the statement said.
The State Audit Service of Ukraine (SASU) will be involved in verifying the correctness of the costs, and funds will be transferred on a quarterly basis by way of advance payments. Transportation performed in January-February 2026 will also be financed.
The Ministry notes that the new model introduces transparent and predictable rules for financing passenger transportation, reduces the financial burden on Ukrzaliznytsia and will gradually allow to abandon cross-subsidization between types of railway transport activities.
Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Recovery and Minister of Communities and Territories Development, emphasized that the cost of tickets for passengers will not change.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, Ukrzaliznytsia is changing the rules for ticket refunds and ticket pricing.
In January, Ukrzaliznytsia tested paid internet on trains.
In November, a former member of the Verkhovna Rada and deputy chairman of the supervisory board of Ukrzaliznytsia, Serhii Leshchenko, said that Ukrzaliznytsia plans to change its approach to pricing, which will lead to a rise in prices for certain categories of railway tickets.
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