Kyiv, January 23 (Interfax-Ukraine) – State Railways Administration of Ukraine Ukrzaliznytsia, due to the difficult financial and economic situation in the country, forecasts a decline in rail freight traffic by 13.1% in 2015 compared to 2014, to 285.3 million tonnes.

This is stated in a Ukrzaliznytsia press release, distributed by CEO Maksym Blank in a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine.

According to him, the draft consolidated financial plan of Ukrainian railways for 2015 foresees transit cargo traffic in the amount of 28.9 million tonnes, which is 1.2% less than in 2014. It plans to carry 439.6 million passengers, which is below last year's level by 0.1%.

"Due to the limited financial resources of Ukrainian railways, the draft financial plan for 2015 provides for the use of capital investment in the amount of UAH 2.434 billion, which is 70.3% less than the financial plan of 2014, in particular at the expense of own funds (amortization) - UAH 434.4 million, which will be directed to the investment program for electrification and the modernization of traction rolling stock; raised funds – UAH 2 billion," reads the press release.

The administration noted that the financial state of the sector is affected by the situation in eastern Ukraine, where due to fighting about 1,423 railway objects were damaged, costing UAH 830.3 million.

686 facilities have been restored. UAH 94 million was allocated for restoration.