Starting May 1, Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ) is fully implementing an automated service for scheduling freight car repairs with the aim of minimizing human error, improving the efficiency of rolling stock utilization, and reducing downtime.
“In fact, from now on, the entire process—from repair planning to final billing—will take place online within a single system,” UZ notes on Facebook.
The company explains that to have cars repaired at its facilities, three online stages must be completed, including the already operational planning and contract stage, during which information on available capacity, rates, and terms is published in the system, and the car owner submits an electronic application with an annual repair plan. After that, the parties conclude a contract online using a qualified electronic signature (QES).
In the second stage (application submission and repair), which began on May 1, the client makes an advance payment, submits the application independently by selecting the production unit to receive the service, after which the railcars are sent for repair. All work is performed according to an automatically generated queue.
In the third stage (completion and billing), after repairs, the system generates certificates of completion and necessary documents with a QES. These become available in the customer’s electronic account, after which final billing takes place.
“Thus, customers receive a fully digital process without paper documents: the contract, requests, repair tracking, and all settlements—all in one service. A personal account is automatically created for each customer, and contracts can be renewed online,” the post concludes.
The Lviv Locomotive Repair Plant (LLRP), part of Ukrzaliznytsia, ended the January-March 2026 period with a loss of 16.2 million UAH, whereas during the same period in 2025, net profit amounted to 9.3 million UAH.
According to the plant’s financial report published in the NSSMC disclosure system, its net revenue decreased by 26.2% to nearly 163 million UAH.
The plant reported an operating loss of UAH 10 million compared to a profit of UAH 30.4 million, and the loss from operating activities amounted to UAH 22.6 million, whereas in January–March of last year, operating profit stood at UAH 13.3 million.
According to LLRZ, in January–March it repaired 3 units of rolling stock for Ukrzaliznytsia (6 units during the same period in 2025), 144 wheel sets (161), 29 traction motors (64), 20 auxiliary electric machines (45), 16 anchors (36), and 67 units of other line products (8 units).
Founded in 1861, the Lviv Locomotive Repair Plant is now a major Ukrainian enterprise specializing in the repair of electric locomotives (VL10, VL11m, and VL80t series), traction motors, and wheel sets.
As reported, in 2025 the plant increased its production volume by 24.2% compared to 2024—to 1.026 billion UAH.
By a decision of the shareholder of PJSC “LLRZ” dated April 23 of this year, 95% of the nearly UAH 7 million in net profit earned in 2025 will be allocated to cover losses from previous periods, and 5% will go to the reserve capital.
In 2024, the plant increased its net profit by 55% compared to 2023—to 24 million UAH—and its net revenue by 39%, to 827.7 million UAH.
Ukrzaliznytsia has launched a new flagship train, the “Sakura,” which connects Kyiv and Uzhhorod and features new cars manufactured in Ukraine in 2026, according to a statement from the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development.
According to the Ministry’s press release on Tuesday, the new cars are equipped with security systems featuring surveillance cameras and include a number of passenger-friendly improvements: rechargeable batteries, additional amenities for traveling with children, inclusive design elements, and functional comfort features in the compartments.
The new flagship train departs on its maiden voyage from Kyiv to Uzhhorod today, April 28.
“In total, Japan has already provided Ukraine with over $15 billion in financial, humanitarian, and technical aid. “Within the framework of grant programs, we are coordinating four phases of emergency recovery totaling approximately $700 million and expect to sign the next phase for an additional $40 million,” Deputy Prime Minister for Recovery and Minister of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine Oleksii Kuleba is quoted as saying in the release.
It is noted that with JICA’s assistance, Ukraine received approximately 28,000 tons of rails manufactured by Nippon Steel and dozens of units of specialized equipment, which allowed for the renewal of about 200 km of tracks on key routes.
The Ministry of Development added that 12 train cars feature cherry blossom petal branding.
In addition, passengers on the train will have access to an online portal about Japanese culture, architecture, and art, and will also be able to explore elements of Japanese cuisine, board games, and joint Ukrainian-Japanese cultural projects.
As previously reported, Ukrzaliznytsia received the first six of 100 new passenger cars ordered in 2025 from PJSC Kryukiv Railway Car Building Works (KVBZ).
The total contract value is approximately 6.5 billion UAH, and funding is provided from the state budget.
Deliveries are expected to continue in phases until May 2028, and 60 such cars will be ready by the end of 2026.
The government is continuing its work on a systematic upgrade of Ukrzaliznytsia’s rolling stock, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced.
“As part of this upgrade, 100 new Ukrainian-made cars are to be delivered—including compartment cars, accessible cars, and new-generation cars with a service life extended by 20 years. The total cost of the project is approximately 6.5 billion UAH. Delivery will take place in phases through May 2028,” Svyrydenko wrote on her Telegram channel.
The first new cars are already carrying passengers as part of the flagship train that Ukrzaliznytsia will launch on Tuesday, April 28.
“Over 150 Ukrainian enterprises, including those near the front lines and relocated ones, are involved in the production, which I had the opportunity to tour last October. This provides jobs for over 10,000 Ukrainians and supports the national economy. The product, manufactured in Ukraine, benefits the domestic economy and logistics—going straight from the factory to the tracks,” the prime minister added.
She noted that the new railcars meet modern comfort standards: they feature improved shelves, air conditioning, changing tables and baby playpens, ramps, and upgraded batteries that allow the temperature to be set in advance before passengers board.
Ukrzaliznytsia plans to receive its first Alstom UA8AC electric locomotive in the first quarter of 2027, and by the end of 2029, the company expects to receive a total of 55 such locomotives, said Volodymyr Shemaiev, director of the international projects office at Ukrzaliznytsia.
“This will be a modest overhaul of the freight electric locomotive fleet, which will serve as a foundation for the fleet in the coming years,” Shemaev noted during the 8th International Conference “Railways of Ukraine: Development and Investment” in Kyiv.
Oleksiy Balesta, Deputy Minister of Community and Territorial Development, reported at the conference that since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, more than 300 locomotives have been damaged, with about 50 destroyed beyond repair.
According to Ukrzaliznytsia, 9 diesel locomotives were damaged in the first half of 2025, 119 in the second half, and 81 in the first quarter of 2026.
As previously reported, Ukrzaliznytsia signed a EUR473 million contract with Alstom Transport following an international tender organized by the World Bank. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development subsequently joined the project.
Among other international projects that Ukrzaliznytsia plans to implement, he mentioned the cooperation agreement signed between the governments of Ukraine and Spain regarding the creation of a gauge-changing bogie capable of changing track gauge without stopping. According to him, the first stage involves developing design documentation for such a bogie.
“In about two years, such a bogie will be manufactured in Ukraine, after which testing will begin. If the results of these tests are positive, we can then discuss the commercial production of such bogies and, accordingly, railcars, both for the Ukrainian market and for European markets,” noted the director of Ukrzaliznytsia’s International Projects Office.
Shemaev also reported that a meeting was recently held with Korean partners, with whom Ukrzaliznytsia plans to prepare a feasibility study over the next three years for a high-speed railway from Kyiv to Lviv and onward to the Polish border.
Separately, the director of Ukrzaliznytsia’s International Projects Office told Interfax-Ukraine that Ukrzaliznytsia has joined a project to build decentralized gas-fired power generation facilities at the government’s request. Specifically, 40 MW of equipment has already been delivered, and preparatory work for its installation is currently underway.
In addition, a tender under the rules of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for an additional 160 MW has been completed; its results are in the process of being signed, and equipment delivery is expected within 8 months.
Shemaev noted that Ukrzaliznytsia is implementing this project in partnership with the EBRD and the European Commission; it is supported by a EUR41 million grant, with an additional 20 million pounds worth of equipment provided by the United Kingdom.
Starting April 25, Ukrzaliznytsia will begin selling tickets for “luxury” class cars based on new pricing factors—ticket prices will be adjusted according to four factors.
As reported on Ukrzaliznytsia’s Telegram channel on Saturday, these changes will apply exclusively to travel in SV (luxury) and first-class cars on domestic Intercity trains.
“Dynamic pricing for tickets in the premium segment—the relevant order has passed public review and is taking effect. Ticket sales based on the new coefficients will begin on April 25. The indexation of fares in SV (luxury) cars on international trains has also been approved,” according to a statement from Ukrzaliznytsia.
To improve seat availability—which is especially important during the peak season, which is just around the corner—ticket prices in the premium segment will be flexibly adjusted based on four factors:
1. Seasonality. During periods when trains are only 70–80% full, tickets will be cheaper. And during peak months, such as August, when demand is highest, the price will be higher. In total, there will be 16 seasonality zones reflecting the current calendar of holidays, vacations, etc. This will help passengers choose more cost-effective travel times, improve seat availability during peak periods, and increase train occupancy during off-peak periods.
2. Day of the week. The lowest prices will be on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the highest when the travel date falls on Fridays and Sundays, when demand is highest. Passengers who can change their travel date will have an additional incentive to do so, and their seats will become available for others on the most popular days.
3. Advance Purchase. The number of days before the train’s departure for which a ticket is purchased. Today, nearly 30% of passengers buy tickets on the day of travel or two days before. The new approach will encourage planning trips in advance and buying tickets at a better price. This will allow for the most efficient use of rolling stock.
4. Occupancy. If a train is 90–100% full, the price may be higher. But if there are still empty seats before departure, the price will decrease. This will allow passengers who would otherwise choose a different travel class to travel in first class or SV at a more affordable price. Implementing this mechanism requires further development of IT systems and will be implemented separately.
