Ukrainian lawmakers have registered a sweeping rail-reform bill that would introduce passenger compensation for delays, open the market to competing carriers, and align the sector with EU standards.
Ukraine’s parliament has registered draft law No. 16019, a wide-ranging rail reform designed to bring the national railway sector closer to European Union standards. The proposed legislation would create a competitive market by allowing multiple licensed carriers to operate passenger and freight services while ensuring equal, paid access to state-owned track infrastructure.
Under the bill, passengers would gain clear rights when trains are delayed or cancelled, including the possibility of compensation. The reform also envisions a structural split between the owner and operator of railway infrastructure and the carriers that run services, following the European model.
Socially important but potentially unprofitable routes could be separately procured by the state or local communities, with operators selected through competitive tenders. In addition, the legislation introduces licensing requirements for rail companies and calls for a dedicated regulator to oversee market access and fair use of infrastructure. If adopted, the changes would mark a major shift from the current state-dominated model to a regulated, multi-operator rail market in Ukraine.
https://t.me/smolii_ukraine/160569