Czech rail carrier RegioJet transported 230,000 passengers between Ukraine and EU in 2023

MOSCOW. Feb 5 (Interfax) - Czech rail carrier RegioJet increased passenger transportation between Ukraine and the European Union by 60% to 230,000 people in 2023 and plans to launch the second Prague-Ukraine train soon, Ukrainian media said on Monday, citing the company's press service.

"RegioJet, the largest Czech private rail operator in Central and Eastern Europe, is pleased to announce that it transported more than 230,000 passengers between Ukraine and the European Union in 2023. This achievement confirms that the Ukrainian destination is one of the company's fastest-growing routes. The number of passengers on it rose 60% as compared to 2022," the press service said.

The interest in the company's Ukraine-bound trains was high, it said. The trains were booked at up to 85% of their capacity.

The second Prague-Ukraine train using a new Prague-Kosice-Chop route will be launched soon, RegioJet said.

"Preparations for the launch of the new train service have been completed, all necessary permits have been received from the railway authorities of the Czech Republic and Slovakia," the press service said.

A date for launching the train depends of Ukrainian Railways, it said.

RegioJet is raising the rail journey standards by including a wide variety of free of charge services aboard the train in tickets' cost, it said. The company recently expanded its breakfast choice by adding a croissant, pastries, butter and jam to the meal.

Ukrainian Railways CEO Yevgeny Lyashchenko said in December 2023 that the Chop-Prague route together with the Czech company RegioJet would hopefully be launched before the end of that year. However, problems occurred at the negotiations, he said.

Previously, Ukrainian Railways announced the launch of the Chop-Prague route together with RegioJet from the middle of November.

RegioJet owner Radim Jancura said in an interview with Ukrainian media that the Chop-Prague train would consist of three cars for 140 passengers, including 80 in sleeper cars, and 60 in cars with seats.

Tickets will cost about 25 euros, including free water, coffee and WiFi, Jancura said. The travel time is 13 hours and 30 minutes, including passport control at the Slovak border. Cars from Chop will be part of the 18-car Prague-Kosice train. Passengers will be provided with breakfast and dinner.

According to Jancura, RegioJet will receive revenue from transportation and will pay Ukrainian Railways a fee for access to the infrastructure.