3000 free kilometers by Ukrzaliznytsia. The program will be launched on December 1 - Svyrydenko

The UZ-3000 program, under which Ukrainians will get 3000 km of free travel on Ukrzaliznytsia, is to start on December 1. This was reported by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko during an hour of questions to the government in the Verkhovna Rada.

"3000 km is an opportunity provided to all citizens of Ukraine. The relevant ministry is currently formulating, detailing, and working on this program. It should be launched on December 1 and will be implemented within four months, when we have low demand for Ukrzaliznytsia, but constant high expenses of UZ. And during periods of low demand, we have the opportunity to provide additional tickets to citizens," she said .

Svyrydenko noted that the cost of passenger transportation by Ukrzaliznytsia is higher than the cost of a ticket, and this difference was previously compensated for by freight transportation. However, as a result of the war, the volume of freight transportation has decreased.

"To support the railroad in a difficult time, this year we have allocated additional funds [...] about UAH 13 billion. Next year we plan to allocate at least UAH 15 billion. Ukrzaliznytsia itself is looking for additional resources by saving costs and optimizing its operations. 3000 km is not a program that is compensated by these 15 billion," the Prime Minister said .

The UZ-3000 program was announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on November 1 as part of the winter eSupport activities.

Serhiy Leshchenko, deputy chairman of the supervisory board of UZ , said that the company has an unused resource, which in some months amounts to almost 700,000 seats.

"In general, there is a readiness to allocate 200,000 to 250,000 passenger seats for free travel during off-peak periods without any problems," he said on November 5 .

• For the past two years, Ukrzaliznytsia has been operating at a loss due to a reduction in freight traffic. Passenger transportation does not bring profit to the company, except for a small number of international routes.
• The company is experiencing an acute shortage of passenger rolling stock: in 2019-2024, 1087 passenger cars were withdrawn from circulation, and in 2025-2029, due to the deadline, another 300 cars will have to be decommissioned.
• In July 2026, Ukrzaliznytsia has to repay $700 million of debt that it does not have .