Experts tell us why railway fares are rising

The cost of using railcars is growing due to the inability of Ukrzaliznytsia to meet the demand for freight transportation, "said Alexander Tkachuk, chairman of the railway transport committee of the Ukrainian logistics Alliance Association.

In his opinion, Ukrzaliznytsia, being a monopolist, raises the cost of car rates at electronic auctions, taking advantage of the demand from customers who are forced to agree to tariffs, since they have obligations under contracts.

The expert gives arguments to confirm his position. First, the price should not be determined by the number of cars, but only by the amount provided with traction within the agreed time frame. UZ cars are provided with 100% traction, while private cars can wait for weeks for the locomotive and move to their destination. And the delay of cargo in the ports of Coute is very expensive.

And at the same time, Ukrzaliznytsia earns money at auctions, ensuring the delivery of railcars at a high price, which cargo owners agree to, limited by certain terms. Since the daily number of grain carriers of UZ is only 500 cars, they pass into the daily quota of 2 thousand cars, determined by the capacity of ports.

Car operators who use UZ prices as certain markers also earn money at high auction prices, so they are interested in raising rates.

The cost of Transportation has increased not only for grain carriers, but also for other railcars, although to a lesser extent, since the demand for them is less, and the main cargo owners have a significant own mobile fleet.

Ukrzaliznytsia has the resources, albeit limited, to solve this problem, the urgency of which is determined by external factors, and not by the needs of Ukrzaliznytsia. The company must upgrade the track, traction, and railcars (in this order).

For the state, the most important thing is not transit or relations with neighbors, but ports that provide Ukraine with access to world markets. Therefore, the port infrastructure needs to be developed and increased in capacity.

In addition, UZ has always been distinguished by clear and regulated processes, which now do not exist. The company needs planning to identify errors in its work and direct resources to overcome problems. For example, in Canada, the railway prepares for crop removal in advance and hires additional personnel, repairs cars in order to ensure cargo transportation during the peak period. In Ukraine, they are looking for those responsible, without admitting their own mistakes in organizing their activities.