The representatives of Ukraine’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Ukrzaliznytsya, Belarusian Railways, and embassies of Lithuania and Latvia in Ukraine, officially launched passenger train services on Kiev – Minsk – Vilnius – Riga route.
“This is the first train which directly unites four European capitals. Passengers can travel by rail to eight European Union countries such as Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania and Latvia. The opening of this route increases the competitiveness between railways and aviation and road transport. By opening this route, Ukrzaliznytsya improves and will continue to optimise rail transport services,” Ukrzaliznytsya Chairman of the Board, Yevgeny Kravtsov, said.
The first Four Capitals train was formed by 10 cars, of which 9 second-class coaches and one luxury car.
The train will run once a week from Kiev, at 13:42, reaching Minsk at 23:35 and Vilnius at 04:25 before arriving in Riga, at 09:06. The train will return the next day from Riga at 11:10 and will arrive in Kiev at 06:42 after almost 20 hours.
According to Belarusian Railways, the train №31/32 Kiev – Minsk – Vilnius – Riga will be operated by Ukrzaliznytsia under an agreement signed with railway administrations of Belarus, Lithuania and Latvia.
The authorities intend to expand the train connection to reach Tallinn, Estonia’s capital. “We are negotiating with Estonia to add to the route and the fifth capital, if not this year, then the next one. Hopefully, by the end of 2018 we will resolve the technical issues “, Kravtsov said.
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