By KYIV. Dec 13 (Interfax-Ukraine) – JSC Ukrzaliznytsia remains hopeful to launch the Chop-Prague train in collaboration with the Czech company RegioJet before the end of this year, but negotiations with the company have encountered difficulties.
This was reported by acting Chairman of the company’s board Yevhen Liaschenko at the final meeting of the team of the Ministry of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development with diplomatic missions and the public in Kyiv on Tuesday.
“We’ve had all the negotiations with RegioJet. Commercial and technical issues have been settled. But, now RegioJet now wants somewhat better commercial conditions… We do not agree to this, so we are negotiating. However, we have a deadline – to finish by the end of the year,” Liaschenko said.
He expressed hope for the successful conclusion of the negotiations but emphasized: “Ukrzaliznytsia cannot afford such a sudden increase in their demand.”
Earlier, Ukrzaliznytsia announced the launch of a train from Chop to Prague in partnership with RegioJet from mid-November.
RegioJet owner Radim Jančura in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine said that the Chop-Prague train will include three cars with 140 seats, of which 80 seats are in sleeping cars, 60 in cars with seats.
According to him, the ticket price will be about EUR 25. Its price will include free water, coffee, and Wi-Fi access. The travel time will be 13 hours 30 minutes, including passport control at the Slovak border.
The cars from Chop will travel as part of the Prague-Košice train, consisting of 18 cars. Passengers will be provided with breakfast and dinner.
Jančura said that RegioJet will generate revenue from transportation, but will pay a fee to Ukrzaliznytsia for access to the infrastructure.
