Ukraine and Poland working to restore train services between Rava-Russkaya and Warsaw

MOSCOW. April 6 (Interfax) - Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister, Reconstruction Minister and Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Alexander Kubrakov has said that his ministry is working to resume train services between Rava-Russkaya and Warsaw.

"The first train is going on a test trip, which in a few months will launch a connection between Warsaw and Rava-Russkaya with a transfer to Lvov," Ukrainian media said, citing information circulated by the ministry.

On April 5, Ukrainian and Polish railway personnel carried out a joint test run on the 1435 mm European-gauge track between Lublin and Rava-Russkaya, the ministry said.

For Polish passengers, Rava-Russkaya, in Lvov region, will become "a convenient transfer point between a European-gauge train and Ukrzaliznytsia's Ukrainian-gauge train, which will in turn take passengers to Lvov," it said.

"We are eager to meet the great demand of Ukrainians for convenient logistics by train to and from the Polish capital and to reduce congestion at road border crossing points. We are working to bring our countries even closer together," Kubrakov said.

It was reported that the rebuilt Rava-Russkaya railway crossing point had been out of service for more than 20 years.

"Ukrzaliznytsia has restored an 8.4 km European-gauge section and renovated the Rava-Russkaya station. After the test run, the Polish side will need several months to set up full-fledged customs and border control and finalize formalities, after which the launch date for regular traffic will be announced," the ministry said.