Ukraine, Poland agree to develop rail transport

MOSCOW. Aug 28 (Interfax) - Ukraine's national rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ) and Poland's Polskie Koleje Panstwowe Spolka Akcyjna (PKP SA) on Monday signed an agreement to develop rail transport, the Ukrainian media reported after UZ released a statement citing its chief executive Yevgeny Lyashchenko.

"Together we shall continue to develop our border infrastructure and increase the passenger and freight turnover between our countries," Lyashchenko said.

Under the agreement, PKP is to work out measures to conclude separate agreements with UZ regarding management of rail infrastructure, freight and passenger rail transport. The agreements will be drafted by joint working groups.

The two sides also have agreed to provide freight trains with maintenance by locomotives and locomotive brigades on equal terms (50/50).

It was reported that in late June UZ set up a Polish subsidiary, Ukrainian Railways Cargo Poland (Warsaw), to ensure transport between Ukraine and Europe. Initially the UZ subsidiary will provide a comprehensive service for freight transport from Ukraine to a destination in Europe and back, coordinate with European operators, cargo owners and border crossings, using 1,435mm and 1,520mm gauge rolling stock. The company will also oversee the UZ rolling stock abroad.