New Ukrzaliznytsia: how billions will be spent, and what will change for passengers

Alice Smahina

Dissatisfaction with the work of Ukrzaliznytsia seems to be a given. The monopolist carrier is criticized by everyone, from government officials to experts and journalists. But most of all, the railway company is nagged by the passengers who complain about the unprofessional conduct, heat or cold in the cars, dirty linen, antediluvian toilets, dirt, stench and lack of basic amenities in the cars. Ten years ago, the passenger had to be happy only because they finally managed to buy a ticket in the desired direction. Now they want not only to get from point A to point B but also to spend a few hours of their lives in comfortable and convenient, so-called, human conditions.

It is obvious that the need to upgrade Ukrzaliznytsia's services and modernize rolling stock is long overdue. Last year, the Big Construction presidential program went to the railways. The New Railway has become not only the dream of every Ukrainian traveler but also part of the state strategy.

Thus, in November 2021, during a speech at the Big Construction: New Railway forum, the President of Ukraine said:

"Today we present a new 'next.' The next, very important direction is the new Ukrainian railway. For years, the railway has been destroyed by 'corrosion': bad management and corruption. Like rust, it was covered with opacity and inefficiency. Because of these negatives, it has become not cheap, inconvenient, and even dangerous. The condition to which our railway has been brought over the years can be briefly but aptly described as a prehistoric locomotive that barely pulls a train on worn-out tracks with creaking carriages to dirty and uncomfortable stations."

At the same forum, the management of Ukrzaliznytsia itself reported on the first changes that took place in the structure over the past year. "Prehistoric locomotive," as poetically, the president described the most popular Ukrainian carrier, for the first time in 12 months, came to profitability. Also, for the first time in a long time, the cost of freight transport was increased, reduced tariffs in favor of big business were abolished, electricity was purchased directly from the state supplier, not through gas companies, and a program to upgrade locomotives and freight cars was launched. But most importantly, finally, the state began to hear the long-standing moan of passengers and began resuscitation of suburban trains and long-distance cars.

In 2021, the budget of Ukraine provided for the allocation of UAH 3 billion for the renewal of rolling stock for passenger traffic. As part of the Big Construction in 2021, under the terms of the contract and under the agreements with the manufacturer, PJSC Kriukiv Carriage Building Plant, the company received 20 new cars. In addition, 16 compartment cars underwent an overhaul at its production facilities, which turned into transformer cars (this allows to continue the operation of rolling stock for at least 14 years). Before the New Year holidays, a restored ŠKODA electric train was sent on the first trip.

Other innovations were presented at Ukrzaliznytsia during the year. For example, ramps and places for people with disabilities, bicycle holders, changing tables, air conditioning, video surveillance, fire alarm, and fire extinguishing systems have appeared in the renovated cars. In 2022, Ukrzaliznytsia and its partners plan to complete the development of a capsule concept of an updated second-class car, where all passengers will have equal living conditions and the same set of functional devices: each with its table, night light control panel, individual reading lamp, USB socket. Moreover, each passenger will have a personal space; the curtains allow you to separate each seat into a full-fledged "capsule" for a comfortable stay, which is a very pleasant option for night travel.

Fortunately, according to the railroaders themselves, all 3,000 existing cars don't need to be changed, but in 4 years they plan to update the oldest fleet. In particular, in 2022 JSC Ukrzaliznytsia will purchase 30 second-class cars, with modern exterior and interior elements, for the most popular segment of passenger traffic. Also, this year's plans are to order another 70 sedentary cars at the expense of the State Budget and receive 80 sleeping cars by July 2022 (under the agreement with PJSC KVBZ). Ukrzaliznytsia's fleet will be replenished with 36 compartment cars, 7 sleepers, 37 compartment cars for the transportation of passengers with disabilities in wheelchairs.

A year ago, UZ conducted a survey of passengers, conductors, and railway activists to find out which innovations in the new cars are most anticipated. And, according to Ukrzaliznytsia, the new cars take into account all the wishes of travelers.

Among the 8 most popular ones, included in the technical task innovations:

• sockets and USB near each place;
• modern air conditioning system;
• adapted elements for the less mobile;
• linoleum instead of carpets;
• increased luggage space;
• video surveillance;
• vacuum toilets;
• convenient adjustment of lighting.

Well, it seems that civilization is finally coming to us. The railway development plan presented by the Ministry of Infrastructure last autumn was probably the most ambitious in the last decade. In the next six years, about UAH 200 billion is planned to be spent, for the traditional idea of ​​Ukrzaliznytsia as a dying monster to stay in the past. Dozens of cars renovated in 2021 are the first potent of long-awaited changes. Presentations of modernized cars and photo reports from railway workers on social media really look good, but is everything just as cheerful in practice? Let's analyze.

• The two-story, completely renovated, inclusive ŠKODA electric train is currently running on the route №747 Kyiv – Lviv. At the UZ presentation allegedly all is well, but the most interesting thing is that the Czech manufacturer of this type of car is designed for suburban, short transport. This is how they are used, for example, in Lithuania. And in our conditions, from the beginning of a route and to the final station, travelers spend the whole 8 hours in the car!

"Only a latent sadist could have thought of letting them go on such big routes," one of the passengers was indignant in his comments. "Unlike Hyundai, the seats are hard, don't unfold, and don't move. We had to ride for more than 5 hours, as if behind a school desk. Half of the way, to warm up, I had to stand, walk in the car. To launch such a train on a route lasting more than 5 hours is a mockery of passengers! By the way, in the Czech Republic, cars of this class are used on suburban routes, and only in our country does UZ pathetically announce its achievements and run the train on the route all the way to Lviv."

"There is no place to put feet," complains another passenger. Especially when, as always, I was lucky enough to ride with some men (and their subconscious desire to take every possible place around, as much as possible). The backs of the chairs do not recline, it is hot. There is nothing to breathe at all, especially if you are still in a mask. Six hours of travel… Never. Never take tickets on the two-story Intercity. It's worse than a sedentary car. It's easier to ride in the Frankfurt subway than in this can, which was the only one with the schedule that, unfortunately, suited me."

• Another example: transformer cars, converted from ordinary compartments, running as part of the trains № 737/738 Zaporizhzhia – Kyiv and № 766 Kyiv – Kherson. These upgraded cars, according to the designers, are suitable for both long and short routes. At night, they are used as compartments, and during the day they are turned into cars with seats. According to UZ, they have many modern design elements: new double-glazed windows, roller shutter systems for sun protection, information monitors, USB sockets near each place, folding tables for charging phones, individual climate control systems.

However, despite the shining presentation, the transformer cars have the same problem with fixed seats and limited legroom as the two-story Skoda Intercity. People are forced to travel for 6-7 hours without being able to change their posture, constantly bruising each other's knees. In addition, in the daytime version in the second class cars (6 seats in the compartment) folding tables are simply impossible to use because the place of the table is occupied all the way by a third passenger!

Maybe it's more comfortable to sleep in these cars? Rubryka was lucky to check this as well. And this experience also didn't please us. From under the new double-glazed window, you feel a terrible draft, the lower foldable sleeping place took a horizontal position only under the weight of an adult (the kid will just roll under the wall), and the top shelf was difficult to get to because the new ladder was too small to climb and potentially dangerous. In general, it seemed that the person who designed this car transformer was never going to travel with it, and the average citizen will use it anyway.

But the most impressive thing was not even that. The planned overhaul of transformer cars costs about UAH 16 million, which is almost twice cheaper than buying a new car (the average price of a new car is about UAH 30 million). UZ is especially proud of this fact. If you look closely at the car, you can see that they managed to save on everything. Rusty old accessories are screwed in the toilets, unreliable plastic hooks for outerwear are fastened in the compartment, and the new seat armrests have not been able to withstand the daily load in just two months of operation:

"We are working to increase the number of such comfortable and convenient trains," Ukrzaliznytsia said. Perhaps for this, the company's management should first ride in the updated cars.

It is great that new cars are being purchased; well, rebuilding the old. It is high time to renew the park of worn-out and destroyed rolling stock. Especially in those depots that have not received anything new for decades. But there must be more new trains. And the real comfort of passengers should not be taken care of on paper. Without big investments, nothing can be solved here. Probably, to put Ukrzaliznytsia trains in order, the participation of private business is also needed. Ukrzaliznytsia should be demonopolized, disbanded, and privatized in parts.

Currently, Ukrzaliznytsia's finances are a big "boiler" that generates revenues and finances the costs of many companies. The money goes to the operation of railways, repair of locomotives, maintenance of passenger and sorting stations, railway stations, and much more. When money gets into this "cauldron," it is difficult to keep track of it. With such a schedule, you can always justify any losses from inefficient work, hide corruption schemes or profits.

However, even in small steps, Ukrzaliznytsia is moving forward. We hope that not the best side of this experience will be taken into account, and in the future, the cars in which Ukrainians travel will cause fewer and fewer questions.