However, Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, is running out of food, prompting humanitarian action.
One of Europe’s private rail operators, RegioJet, is partnering with Ukrainian Railways, Člověk v tísni (People-In-Need – a non-profit organization) and ČD Cargo & Rail Cargo Group on a humanitarian and evacuation night train between Prague, Czech Republic and Przemyśl station in Poland, just on the border with Ukraine. The train consists of 10 sleeping cars with 400 beds for evacuees and 10 freight cars carrying up to 600 pallets of food. At the Poland/Ukrainian border, a switch is made with Ukrainian Railways where the cargo continues to Kyiv and passengers are taken out of Ukraine. The first of these night trains started March 1.
ALLRAIL, the Alliance of Passenger Rail New Entrants in Europe, which represents independent passenger rail companies including RegioJet, commended the swift actions of European rail providers.
“While Russia’s aggression continues, these actions must have top priority in the European rail sector. All of the companies and personnel involved are doing amazing work,” said ALLRAIL Secretary General Nick Brooks.
As remarkable as the humanitarian effort has been since the crisis began, peace remains the ultimate goal.
“International solidarity has been heartwarming,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said on Thursday. “But nothing – nothing – can replace the need for the guns to be silenced; for dialogue and diplomacy to succeed. Peace is the only way to halt this tragedy.”
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The war in Ukraine has far reaching implications. Our colleagues at Endeavor Business Media, which owns Mass Transit, have been covering the impacts from all angles. Coverage has been compiled and is viewable through this link.