Train to a safe station, then bus: UZ changes connections with front-line cities

From October 1, Ukrzaliznytsia launches a pilot project of combined "train + bus" service on certain front-line routes to Sumy and Lozova. Buses will replace trains on dangerous sections if rail traffic has to be limited due to the threat of shelling.

Mykola Kalashnyk reported the launch of the project.

The mechanism implies that if due to the security situation a train cannot reach its intended destination or depart from it, Ukrzaliznytsia will organize bus transportation for passengers.

The schedules of the two modes of transport will be synchronized. If a train or bus is delayed, the transfer transport will wait for passengers. Ukrzaliznytsia's monitoring centers will track the security situation and determine which section can be used to continue the journey.

Tickets for combined routes for the nearest dates can already be purchased in the Ukrzaliznytsia app. For the passenger, the cost of the full trip when switching to the "train + bus" scheme does not change.

The new system is especially relevant for Sumy region. Due to intensified Russian attacks on railway infrastructure, direct long-distance trains No. 66 and No. 776 Kyiv - Sumy and No. 775 and No. 779 Sumy - Kyiv have been temporarily canceled from October 1. Trains No. 143/144 Rakhiv - Sumy now also run only to and from Konotop, from where passengers can be transported by buses. At the same time, suburban rail service on the Liubotyn - Sumy line is maintained.

In fact, Ukrzaliznytsia already uses a similar model for other front-line cities. In particular, in Donetsk region, direct train traffic is limited due to high security risks, so passengers are transported by buses between cities of the region and railway stations in Kharkiv region. UZ calls this multimodal service with a bus "last mile": the temporary terminal for some trains is Barvinkove, and then transport is provided for passengers of Kramatorsk and other front-line communities.

Earlier, Ukrzaliznytsia also reported that on dangerous sections of Kharkiv and Donetsk regions it uses combined logistics: the train takes passengers to a safer station, and then they are transported by buses. This approach allows not to completely stop the service even when certain sections of the railway are temporarily unsafe for traffic.

Thus, the "UZ will take you" project should transform the bus transfers already used during shelling into a more systematic model with pre-agreed transfers, tickets, and reserve routes for front-line regions.

Sources: Mykola Kalashnyk, Ukrzaliznytsia