This summer, there was a significant increase in passenger traffic at the checkpoints. Find out at what stage the eCherha for buses and cars is being tested and what the situation is at the Ukrainian border in an interview with a SBGS spokesperson

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The summer season is usually characterized by an increase in passenger traffic through checkpoints on Ukraine's borders. And 2023 was no exception, as passenger traffic has increased by at least 40 thousand people per day since June of this year. So we decided to find out what the situation is at the Ukrainian borders, where people are going, and whether the introduction of the online queue registration system has affected the congestion at the checkpoints from Andrii Demchenko, a representative of the Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

Please note! To quickly cross the border of Ukraine on your own, it is recommended to check the queues in advance and plan a route through the least busy checkpoint. This applies to both directions, both entering and leaving Ukraine. For more information on how to check the congestion at the checkpoints, please follow the link. We previously wrote about what documents are required for a car to travel abroad here.

Has the introduction of the eCherha for cars and buses affected the congestion at Ukrainian border crossing points?

As you can see, the eCherha is fully operational for trucks, the electronic queue for buses is being introduced in a test mode at eight checkpoints, and the eCherha has not yet been implemented for passenger vehicles. 

The Ministry of Infrastructure is implementing the eCherha system together with Ukrtransbezpeka, in cooperation with border guards and customs officers, who ensure that vehicles enter the checkpoints and are cleared. Currently, these are trucks and buses on certain routes. 

As for trucks, it works as follows: a person registers in the eCherha and the system gives him or her a specific day and time when he or she can cross the border. For buses, however, it is currently only available for vehicle registration at checkpoints where the eCherha has been implemented. That is, because it is operating in test mode, the system does not provide the day and time for crossing the border. Thus, registration is mandatory, but regular buses arrive at the checkpoints according to their schedule, and not shuttle buses when they need to leave. 

When all the routes and technical issues are tested, the eCherha will be fully operational for buses.

Can we now talk about a significant reduction in queues at the borders due to online registration?

No, we can't talk about the congestion at the border crossing points at the moment, aseCherha in full operation is only for trucks. For passenger vehicles, the situation has not changed at all, because even the test mode has not been implemented yet. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Ukrtransbezpeka will start implementing the test mode for passenger cars only after the eCherha is fully operational for buses. 

Do you know how many people have already used the eCherha and when the test mode will be completed?

No, we do not have such information, as we are not the administrators of the eCherha and only provide passage and clearance of vehicles at checkpoints that have registered and are following the route.

As for the timeframe when the test mode of the system for buses will be completed, there is no timeframe. Therefore, I cannot say when it will be implemented.

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What exactly is the reason for the queues at the borders? Are people entering or leaving Ukraine?

This year, the summer period was quite intense in terms of passenger and traffic flow. For example, at the end of spring, about 85-90 thousand people crossed the border on average per day. And with the beginning of the summer season, a significant increase in passenger traffic was recorded at the checkpoints. Thus, during the summer, on weekdays, passenger traffic averaged 120-125 thousand people entering and leaving, and on weekends, passenger traffic could reach 140 thousand people in both directions. That is, the increase in queues and time for passing control procedures at the border is related to the increase in passenger traffic.

However, it is noteworthy that if we look at the statistics by month for June, July, and August, the flow of people leaving Ukraine was higher in June, while in July and August, more border crossings were recorded for entry than for exit.

At the same time, in recent days we have seen a slight but definite decrease in passenger traffic. For example, on September 4, it was less than 100 thousand people for the first time in recent memory. In total, 95 thousand people crossed the border on August 4. In terms of percentage, the passenger flow fluctuated around 50-50 [ed: inbound and outbound].

Where are the longest queues currently recorded and which checkpoints are better to choose for fast border crossing?

I'll give you some statistics. Last month, about 3.9 million people crossed the border. But, as before, 50%, and sometimes even a little more, of the passenger traffic is on the border with Poland. That is, the highest congestion at the checkpoints we have noted in the past is on the Polish border.

People choose convenient logistical routes for themselves to achieve their ultimate travel goal and, accordingly, cross the border with Poland more often. But if citizens choose Poland as a transit country, they should be prepared to wait in lines. Instead, to avoid standing in lines, it is better to choose checkpoints on the borders with other EU countries or Moldova. Because there is much less congestion at the checkpoints. 

We remind you! Safety and confidence while traveling abroad is the key to a pleasant vacation. Read more about how an insurance policy can help you get rid of unnecessary problems during your trip in our previous article.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.