Ukraine: rail freight tariffs will increase by 70%
The Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure and Ukrainian Railways decided to increase rail freight tariffs in the country by 70 per cent. The decision has been in force since 29 June and affects all types of cargo. In this way, Ukrainian Railways want to compensate for the immense financial losses resulting from the war and invest in the future’s extensive reconstruction.
“This is the minimum possible indexation of the value of tariffs, which will ensure a solidary and fair burden on business, the state and international partners in overcoming the consequences of the war. At the same time, the increase will not be critical in forming export prices: the price of ferrous metals and grain will increase by only a few per cent, which is fully offset by the positive price situation in foreign markets,” explained Ukrainian Railways.
Freight traffic down by 65,3 per cent
The state-owned railway company marked a net profit of 457 million UAH (147 million euros) in 2021. However, with the war waging since late February, this will hardly be the case for 2022. The company reports a decrease of 65,3 per cent in rail freight traffic for the first six months of the year, which is also accompanied by immense financial losses.
“In addition, the cost of electricity, fuels and lubricants has increased, and the price index of manufacturers has risen. The company is also forced to spend significant funds on restoring tracks, bridges, and substations, which have been destroyed during the war,” said Ukrainian Railways.
As a result, “the solidary and fair burden” of increased tariffs could assist in reversing this situation. “Due to the indexation of freight tariffs, Ukrzaliznytsia will receive 11 billion UAH (about 354 million euros) needed to fulfil its plans and reach a profit balance by the end of the year.” The company will also receive financial support from the state, which will be around 14 billion UAH (451million euros).
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Frequent,, sudden, unplanned stops, disturbings, now all over…, reveal a
not timely, a devastatingly, low quality railway infrastructure – to be paid by other, by the majority, those not, as minority…, affording the luxury of neglecting importance of JIT.
Quality pays and in particular at infrastructure for transports! (A timely, a high quality, a handsomely paying, a “New Old Railway”, urgently is requested.)