In 2023, Ukrzaliznytsia promises to reduce tariffs for the transportation of grain and fuel, but to raise them for the transportation of ore and coal

At a press conference on January 26, the chairman of the board of Ukrzaliznytsia O. Kamyshyn summarized the results of 2022 and talked about the plans for 2023, including the tariff equalization policy, which, although it will not have a significant financial effect, will allow to increase the volume of transportation, which falls due to too high tariffs. In particular, it is planned to increase tariffs for the transportation of iron ore and coal, and to decrease those for grain and fuel.

The head of the company said that last year's increase in tariffs for freight transportation destroyed the myth of UZ's dependence on oligarchs. At the same time, he could not name the date of introduction of the tariff equalization reform, as the process is currently at the stage of public discussions and agreements between ministries, although it was previously planned to be implemented in early 2023.

Despite receiving UAH 10 billion. state financial aid and UAH 11 billion. from tariff indexation, Ukrzaliznytsia ended 2022 with a loss of almost UAH 11 billion, while losses from passenger transportation amounted to UAH 13 billion. In 2023, the volume of cargo transportation is not expected to increase, and there are no plans to increase tariffs.

The financial plan of the UZ for 2023 foresees record capital investments in the restoration and development of infrastructure in the amount of UAH 50 billion, which will be financed with cheap loans from international financial organizations, as well as losses of more than UAH 20 billion. due to a significant social burden and a reduction in freight transportation.

The main indicators of the financial plan for 2023:

• revenues — UAH 83.9 billion;
• expenses — UAH 107.9 billion;
• revenue from the state budget — UAH 1.7 billion;
• payments to the state — UAH 22.8 billion.

From February 1, it is planned to increase the cost of using semi-cars, pellet carriers, mineral carriers and covered cars, while rates for grain carriers will remain unchanged, and rates for cement carriers and fitting platforms will decrease.

We will remind that last year in the fleet of UZ freight cars, the price of using grain trucks and platforms increased the most, while semi-wagons, pellet trucks and dump trucks fell in price. That is, the company received additional income from agricultural producers and reduced expenses for producers of ore, coal and metal (or not oligarchs?). During the year, the cost of renting a hopper increased from UAH 2,000 to UAH 4,300/day, a universal platform – from UAH 787 to UAH 4,100/day, a fitting platform – from UAH 885 to UAH 1,785/day, a covered wagon – from UAH 789 to UAH 1,339/day, tanks – from UAH 1005 to 1400 UAH/day. At the same time, the rate for using a pellet truck decreased from UAH 1,500 to UAH 700/day, a cement truck – from UAH 1,400 to UAH 1,100/day, and a dump truck – from UAH 1,800 to UAH 350/day. And mineral trucks, if they are not used to transport grain, now cost only UAH 100/day.