The Ukrainian Railways public joint-stock company (Ukrzaliznytsia) plans to launch a Lviv-Krakow train on August 1. Ukrzaliznytsia’s Board Chairman Wojciech Balczun announced this at a press conference in Lviv on Tuesday, May 23.
"We are working on introduction of a railway link with Krakow. We will probably accept our Polish colleagues’ proposal to implement the project with the help of the SUW-2000 variable-gauge system. We are currently studying the options," Balczun said.
As CFTS reported earlier, the SUW-2000 variable-gauge system was installed at the Mostiska station in 2003. A Lviv-Krakow train was launched as a result, and the train was subsequently extended to Wroclaw. It was reported on May 22 that France could help Ukraine to establish a system for changing railway track gauge.
Balczun added that Ukrzaliznytsia intended to actively develop the international rail transport market following the introduction of visa-free travel between Ukraine and the European Union.
"After Krakow, we plan to link Chernivtsi with Romania by train and other projects," he said.
Balczun introduced the Lviv railway’s new head Ivan Hrunik in Lviv on Tuesday.
Ukrzaliznytsia already operates several trains to Poland along the routes Kyiv-Przemysl, Kyiv-Warsaw, Kovel-Chelm (from June 12), and Lviv-Krakow. There is also a Lviv-Warsaw trailer car.
