Ukrzaliznytsia will not require additional financing from the state budget to implement its new “UZ-3000” program, which allows Ukrainians to travel up to 3,000 kilometers across the country free of charge. According to the company’s CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, the initiative will be funded through Ukrzaliznytsia’s internal resources, primarily by filling empty train seats during off-peak periods.
Pertsovskyi noted that last winter, around one million seats on trains remained vacant, and these will now be used for the social program. Part of the costs will also be offset by updating the pricing system for premium-class tickets — dynamic pricing and additional services are planned for first-class, sleeper, and international routes.
The program will run for four months during the lowest-demand period for passenger travel. In its initial stage, it will focus on residents of frontline regions, home to roughly 12 million people. The launch of “UZ-3000” is scheduled for December.
Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksii Kuleba said the program aims to ensure equal access to transportation for Ukrainians while improving the efficiency of passenger services.
Although the state provides Ukrzaliznytsia with funds to compensate for unprofitable passenger operations, the “UZ-3000” program is not part of this budget support. According to First Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, it is a separate initiative designed to enhance citizens’ mobility and optimize the use of the company’s existing resources.
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