The Czech company RegioJet plans to restore direct trains from Kyiv to Berlin and Kyiv to Hanover in cooperation with Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) next year.
This was announced by RegioJet founder Radim Jančura, reports Forbes.
A train from Kyiv to Berlin was in operation until 2012. But the German railway, according to Jančura, offered Ukrzaliznytsia such commercial conditions that increased the cost of the train's passage through Germany. This made the route unprofitable, and the service was discontinued.
"In 2024 we plan to launch Kyiv – Berlin and Kyiv – Hanover services in partnership with 'Ukrzaliznytsia', through Leipzig and Dresden. Our expectations for this project are very optimistic, as many more Ukrainians travel to Germany than to the Czech Republic", Radim Jančura noted.
Currently, the RegioJet train runs to the Polish city of Przemysl, where passengers transfer from the Ukrzaliznytsia train. Daily load varies from 300 to 500 passengers.
RegioJet's plans for 2023 include adding another train and increasing the load to 800 passengers. The company plans to launch a new Prague – Chop service and get the opportunity to bring its own trains to the Mostyska-2 station in the Lviv Oblast.
Investing in the Ukrainian railway, electrifying the Chop – Mukachevo section, and building a passenger platform and a pedestrian bridge at the Mostyska-2 station is also among the plans.
"By the end of 2024, we plan to significantly increase the share of the Ukrainian direction, the passenger flow should triple – up to 500,000 passengers per year", added Jančura.