Dynamic pricing at Ukrzaliznytsia: ticket prices for SV and 1st class Intercity+ will change in April

Ukrzaliznytsia is introducing dynamic pricing for premium SV and 1st class Intercity+ carriages. Find out how ticket prices will change depending on the season, day of the week, demand, and date of purchase

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Ukrzaliznytsia will introduce dynamic pricing for tickets in the premium segment starting in April. This applies to SV carriages and first class on Intercity+ trains. This was announced during an online press conference by the chairman of the board of Ukrzaliznytsia, Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, according to unian.

According to the company's CEO, the new concept has long been used in European countries. Ticket prices will no longer be fixed—they will vary depending on a number of factors. At the same time, some tickets may even become cheaper.

Which carriages are subject to the new rules

Dynamic pricing will only affect SV (luxury) and 1st class carriages on Intercity+ trains.

The cost of tickets for reserved seats, compartments, and 2nd class Intercity trains will remain unchanged. In other words, the innovation only applies to the premium segment.

Seasonality: more expensive during peak months

The first factor is seasonal coefficients. As Pertsovskyi explained, rail transport is highly seasonal. During periods when trains are only 70-80% full, tickets will be cheaper. During peak months, particularly in August, prices will rise due to increased demand. Thus, the cost will depend on the overall load on routes during a particular period of the year.

The day of the week will also affect the price

The second factor is the day of the week. The lowest prices are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which are traditionally non-peak days. The highest prices are on Fridays and Sundays, when demand for transportation is highest. This approach allows for the redistribution of passenger traffic and encourages travel on less busy days.

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When you buy a ticket matters

The third factor is the number of days before departure. According to the head of UZ, almost 30% of passengers buy tickets on the day of travel or two days before. The new approach is intended to encourage people to plan their trips in advance. The earlier you buy a ticket, the cheaper it can be. Conversely, the closer to the departure date, the higher the cost will be.

That is why passengers who plan their trip in advance should keep an eye on when sales open. By the way, it is convenient to find and book tickets for trains, buses, or flights through the booking system on Visit Ukraine — it allows you to compare routes and choose the best option.

Train occupancy is another factor

The fourth factor is occupancy. If occupancy exceeds 90%, the price will increase. If there are still seats available before departure, the price may decrease.

In this way, the carrier strives to achieve maximum occupancy of carriages and respond flexibly to demand. In the event of active sales, the company may also add an additional carriage.

According to Pertsovsky, the new model will not affect socially important categories of carriages. Open carriages and compartments will remain under the current pricing system.

"SV tickets are the core of the train, which are released immediately. Then others are released to maintain flexibility. If we see that tickets are being bought up somewhere, we can add an additional car. The main thing is to maximize seat occupancy. This is all the premium segment — everything will be fine for grandmothers," said the chairman of the board.

Thus, the innovation is aimed at regulating demand in the expensive transport segment and encouraging early trip planning.

We remind you! The rules for returning train tickets are changing in Ukraine, and passengers may lose a significant part of the cost. Read how the new Ukrzaliznytsia system will work, how much money will be refunded depending on the date, and who will be exempt.

Photo: UZ

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