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Public Joint Stock Company Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) will not raise tariffs for cargo transportation, Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan said while reporting to the parliament when he was asked to comment on an interview of Ukrzaliznytsia Chairman Wojciech Balczun.
The latter had reportedly mentioned the possible increase of cargo transportation tariffs in the near future.
"The only task Mr. Balczun has been given as Ukrzaliznytsia chief is to fight against corruption and improve the company's performance. Definitely, it was not the issue of raising tariffs, I think those were rather difficulties of translation," the minister said.
Read alsoPolish CEO of Ukraine Railways: Full autonomy needed for overhaulAs UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrzaliznytsia planned to increase goods transportation tariff this year by 30% in two stages: by 15% from January 1, 2016, and by another 15% from July 1.
On March 2, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the draft financial plan of Ukrzaliznytsia envisaging an average annual increase of tariffs for railway transportation of goods by 10%. The increase in the tariffs was scheduled for May 1.
Read alsoInfrastructure Minister: The better the managers we think we have, the longer the trail of corruption behind themAt this, the financial plan does not envisage the increase in tariffs for passenger transportation, except a 5% increase in tariffs for transportation in the first class of high-speed trains of Intercity+ category. The plan also seeks to increase profitability by upgrading the category and service of some trains.
The company's net income is projected at UAH 96.8 million this year. In addition, Ukrzaliznytsia forecasts income at UAH 74.41 billion, and capital investment at UAH 11.19 billion.