Ukrzaliznytsia considers a three-fold increase in tariffs for cargo handling to be " economically justified," the company's press service has reported.

"Today, the level of an economically fair tariff for cargo transportation by rail, which makes it possible to purchase new locomotives and lay a new track during its use, should be three times higher than the current one. Otherwise, it is impossible to expect significant positive changes in the development of rail transportation," Andriy Riazantsev, the Ukrzaliznytsia director for economics and finance, said.

According to him, the existing tariff policy of Ukrzaliznytsia affects not only the performance of the company itself, but also the economy of the country as a whole.

"If we do not start acting now, then within the next 10-15 years we will have a maximum of 5,000 km of the existing 20,000 km of the track. And of the 1,900 locomotives available today, we will have a maximum of 200 units in five years. It is important that this becomes clear to all stakeholders of rail transportation," the expert said.

At the same time, he notes that the introduction of private traction in the railway transportation market at this stage will be a painful step for shippers, since private companies for the return of investments will set much higher tariffs for transportation than the state.