From August 2025, Ukrzaliznytsia is switching to a new standard for repair and maintenance of freight wagons. This is another step towards integration with the European railway system.
Until now, an outdated planning system was used to determine the overhaul periods of freight wagons, which no longer meets modern requirements - neither in terms of safety nor in terms of efficient use of wagons. For example, it did not provide for overhaul standards for wagons with an expired service life.
New standards:
1. Increase the overhaul period to 365 days for wagons that were in controlled sludge or seasonal stock.
2. Establish overhaul periods for freight wagons that undergo repair after the end of their service life.
3. Streamline the definition of maintenance intervals for innovative freight car designs at the design stage.
4. Streamline the definition of maintenance intervals for freight cars that undergo structural changes that affect resource indicators (resource tests are regulated to establish standards that differ from the established repair planning system).
The new standards will allow for more efficient use of cars for the transportation of seasonal cargo. They will also guarantee traffic safety and the preservation of cargo in cars with an expired service life in accordance with the decisions of government regulators.
In addition, control over commercial design solutions that may affect traffic safety will be strengthened, in particular when creating new or modernizing existing freight cars. This will contribute to fair competition in the transportation market.