“Ukrzaliznytsia, in partnership with UNICEF, has launched the first children’s carriage on the Kharkiv-Yasinia route as part of train No. 15/16. This was reported by Komersant ukrainskyi
with reference to the company’s press service.
It was the first of 8 children’s cars to be launched by the end of 2024.
According to the railway company, the compartment carriage is adapted for comfortable and safe travel for families with children of any age.
“The carriage is suitable for travelling by families with children of any age, but it is most suitable for transporting children aged 0 to 8 years. When boarding, young passengers of the children’s carriage will receive special bracelets indicating the compartment and contact phone number of their parents,” said Ukrzaliznytsia.
What is special about the carriage’s equipment?
Interactive posters, billboards with moving elements, and padded handrails for children’s safety in the carriage corridor have been installed. The washroom contains a supplementary set of hygiene products, a changing table and special toilet seat covers for children.
Ukrzaliznytsia assures that all compartments will be easily distinguishable by a child, as they are now marked with Sparks of Superpowers, puppet theatre characters developed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) with a focus on developing 16 skills important for the harmonious development of preschoolers.
“Sparkles will accompany the child on a journey in a children’s carriage, as each compartment contains educational and entertainment materials, instructions for movement, a board game, a playpen for the smallest passengers and an enlarged top shelf stopper with an anti-shock pad,” Ukrzaliznytsia added.
It is noted that during the overhaul, the carriage traditionally received completely new basic equipment – from air conditioning and heating systems to mobile ramps.
The design and overhaul with modernisation lasted 6 months.
The first children’s carriage will run on one of the longest and most popular routes of Ukrzaliznytsia with children – No. 15/16 Kharkiv – Yasinia.
Tickets can be purchased exclusively in the Ukrzaliznytsia app, where the children’s carriage is marked separately.
Ukrzaliznytsia expects to launch 7 more children’s cars in 2024 – all compartmentalised and after modernisation. The project was developed and financed in collaboration with UNICEF Ukraine and with the financial support of the Government of Belgium.