A new train will be launched from Kyiv to Bratislava: when will it happen
7 November 02:17
During the sixth meeting of the Ukrainian-Slovak Mixed Commission, the Slovak side confirmed its readiness to launch a new Kyiv-Bratislava train in mid-December. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, Komersant ukrainskyi informs
On the Ukrainian side, the commission was headed by the First Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko. On the Slovak side, the commission was chaired by Petr Kmetz, Vice Prime Minister of Slovakia for Recovery, Sustainability and Use of Eurofunds.
According to Petr Kmetz, an agreement was reached on the implementation of the Kyiv-Bratislava railway connection with a change of train at the Chop station.
The route takes into account the already started construction of a European gauge line in Ukraine between Uzhhorod and Chop and a possible future direct line Uzhhorod – Chop – Kosice – Bratislava with the prospect of extending the route to other European countries.
The new train is expected to be launched in mid-December.
“We see an increase in the volume of rail freight traffic both last year and this year. Passenger traffic is also growing. That is why it is so important for us to develop international rail passenger traffic between Ukraine and Slovakia. I am grateful to Slovakia for taking active steps towards the realization of this goal,” said Yulia Svyrydenko.
In addition, the Slovak side announced that it had launched a tool to attract funding from third countries to support projects on both sides of the border that will contribute to Ukraine’s recovery. The first agreement is expected to be signed this month.
Yulia Svyrydenko also welcomed Slovakia’s active participation in investment programs aimed at restoring Ukraine. Within the framework of the Ukraine Investment Framework, 4 energy projects have already been submitted, which are planned to be implemented jointly with Ukrainian partners. The total amount of the projects is €143 million.
As a result of the meeting, the parties identified key steps in bilateral trade and investment, Ukraine’s recovery, energy security, transport and infrastructure, and agriculture.
The parties also reaffirmed plans to reconstruct the Mukachevo – Veľké Kapušany interconnector. The first phase of the work is scheduled to be completed in 2026.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the continuation of the modernization of the Uzhhorod-Vysne Nemecke checkpoint to increase the capacity for both freight and passenger transport.
As reported, in early October, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that Ukraine and Slovakia plan to launch an alternative railroad connection on the Kyiv-Bratislava route with a change at Chop station. In the future, this route may be extended to Vienna, the Prime Minister said.
It should be noted that the Kyiv-Bratislava train used to run and travel for just over 27 hours, with a route length of 1,443 kilometers. There were 43 stops on the route, and the longest of them was at the Kosice station – 42 minutes.
