“Ukrzaliznytsia” increases ticket prices: which trains will become more expensive and is this related to the “UZ-3000” free travel program?

Ukrzaliznytsia has announced an increase in ticket prices. Find out which trains will become more expensive and whether this is related to the new “UZ-3000” program

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The other day, the management of “UZ” announced that this winter, Ukrainians will be able to travel by rail within the country for free. However, a few days later it also became known that in addition to launching a social program, the state carrier plans to increase the cost of tickets.

We will tell you in this article which trains will become more expensive, as well as the reasons for this decision and whether the change in ticket prices is related to the “UZ-3000” initiative.

Which train tickets will become more expensive?

The increase in the cost of train tickets will affect passengers using 1st class “Intercity” tickets and SV cars.

This was announced by Serhiy Leshchenko, a member of the supervisory board of “Ukrzaliznytsia” during a speech in the Verkhovna Rada. According to Leshchenko, this is a forced step against the backdrop of the company’s large losses. In just nine months of 2025, Ukrzaliznytsia’s net loss amounted to UAH 7.1 billion, and passenger transportation losses in 2024 reached UAH 18 billion.

Also, to stabilize the situation, the company has developed a number of additional anti-crisis measures, including not only a tariff review, but also internal optimization. In particular, it is planned to sell scrap metal (up to UAH 10 billion in revenue) and gradually index freight tariffs in two stages - by 27% and 11%. This, according to the company’s calculations, can bring about UAH 22 billion in additional income.

According to Serhiy Leshchenko, passenger transportation in Ukraine has always been unprofitable, but for years the country operated a model in which freight transportation covered passenger losses, but the war destroyed this mechanism. Almost half of freight traffic was lost in 2021–2025. Now the company is looking for alternative ways to optimize the work of UZ.

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The UZ-3000 program is part of the compensation for the cost of transportation

The UZ-3000 program is a social initiative that President Volodymyr Zelensky instructed to implement in November 2025. It will allow Ukrainians to travel by rail within the country for free for distances of up to 3,000 kilometers.

As explained by Oleksandr Pertsovsky, Chairman of the Board of Ukrzaliznytsia, the program will start in winter and will last approximately four months - during the low passenger season. The company does not need additional funds from the state budget, because it will use empty seats for this, which remain unfilled every month - about 200-250 thousand on long-distance trains.

Why is Ukrzaliznytsia taking this initiative

The UZ-3000 program is designed not only to support Ukrainians, but also to optimize passenger flows. In the off-season, many trains run with unfilled seats, so the initiative will help balance the load and increase the company's efficiency.

Simultaneously with the launch of the program, compensation for the real cost of passenger transportation will begin, which should improve the company's financial situation without limiting the accessibility of travel for ordinary Ukrainians.

On which trains will the UZ-3000 program not operate?

Free travel does not apply to 1st class, SV cars and international trains. It is for these categories that Ukrzaliznytsia introduces dynamic tariffs and additional services. In addition, UZ-3000 will not operate during peak periods, when trains are traditionally crowded. Free kilometers can only be used during periods when the cars are half-empty.

Thus, Ukrzaliznytsia is taking a double step: on the one hand, it is social, providing citizens with the opportunity to travel for free; on the other, it is economically necessary, increasing prices for comfortable ticket categories.

Free kilometers will give thousands of Ukrainians a chance to discover new cities, and flexible pricing will allow the company to maintain a balance between its social mission and financial stability.

Don’t put off your trip – book your ticket now! At Visit Ukraine, you can easily choose a route, check the cost and buy train tickets online. Travel around Ukraine comfortably.

Reminder! Ukraine is preparing large-scale support programmes for war veterans: in 2025, they will be able to obtain compulsory motor third-party liability insurance policies free of charge, and from 2026, they will be able to receive compensation. Find out who will be eligible for the programmes and how they will work.

Photo – Facebook.com/Ukrzaliznytsia

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