Kiev-Kosice rail route may start operating in 2024 - Ukrainian ministry

MOSCOW. March 29 (Interfax) - An international rail route linking Kiev and Slovakia's Kosice may be launched in 2024, Ukrainian media said, citing the Restoration Ministry's press service said.

"The government of Slovakia has approved a proposal to open a direct rail route between Kiev and Kosice," media outlets quoted Slovak Transport Ministry Secretary of State Denisa Zilakova as saying.

After departing from Kiev, the train will reach the Haniska railway station near Kosice via the Pavlovo-Matovske Vojkovce border crossing, the ministry said.

Preparations for launching the new route involve equipping the border and customs control post, modifying the platform at the Haniska station and arranging bus services from Haniska to the international airport and rail terminal in Kosice.

Contracts on transport services with Slovak Railway will have to be concluded prior to the route's launch, the Restoration Ministry said.

The search for financing sources for the project is continuing, it said.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Restoration Minister Alexander Kubrakov said earlier that Ukraine and Slovakia were exploring the possibility of launching an international rail route to connect Kiev with Kosice International Airport.