In Ukraine, passenger dissatisfaction has intensified due to difficulties in purchasing tickets for Ukrzaliznytsia trains. Tickets for popular routes, such as Kyiv–Lviv, Kyiv–Odesa, and Uzhhorod, disappear from sale literally within seconds after being released. At the same time, trains often run half-empty, which causes additional outrage among citizens.
This is reported by Finway
Mass ticket purchases and the role of resellers
According to many users, the main reason for this situation is the activities of resellers, who massively buy tickets using special bots, scripts, and fake accounts, including in the Diia app. The purchased seats are later resold on third-party platforms — particularly in Telegram channels and on OLX — at a significant markup, sometimes 2–3 times higher than the official price.
Particular dissatisfaction arises from the fact that a significant portion of these tickets is returned to the system a day before the flight, as resellers either cannot find buyers or attempt to resell the seats at the last moment. Upon return, they only lose a 9 UAH commission, allowing them to repurchase the same tickets and relist them for sale at an inflated price.
Ukrzaliznytsia’s advice and recommendations for passengers
Ukrzaliznytsia urges passengers to purchase tickets exclusively through official sales channels and to closely monitor the company’s website, as tickets are periodically returned to the system. Passengers are advised to carry their documents when boarding, as conductors always verify the names on the ticket and the passport to avoid cases of fraud.
“This has been going on for a long time,” confirmed railway workers to one passenger who tried to buy three seats in one compartment for herself and her children, noting that it is almost impossible.
On the company’s hotline, they explain that fewer tickets are allocated for transit stations, while the majority of seats are designated for sections between the starting and ending stations of the route. This further complicates travel planning for many Ukrainians, who cannot purchase tickets even a month before their trip — leading to difficulties in traveling for important events, business trips, or vacations.