PJSC "Ukrzaliznytsya", after analyzing grain cargo stations regarding their effectiveness, decided to close 177 stations out of 528 existing on Donetsk, Lviv, Odesa, South-Western, Southern and Prydniprovska railroads from June 1. So, 60 stations will be completely closed, and 117 - partially for six months.

 Ukrzaliznytsia plans to close:

• 60 cargo stations at all (1 group);
• 60 stations - for the period from 01 June to 01 December 2018, with subsequent restoration subject to availability of applications for daily load / unloading of 5 cars per day for a period of at least 3 months (2 groups);
• 50 stations from 01 June to 01 December 2018 with further restoration provided that there are applications for daily load / unloading of 10 cars per day for a period of at least 6 months (3 group);

The remaining 7 stations "Ukrzaliznytsia" plans to give from 3 to 6 months to increase the number of daily load of cars and withdrawal to break-even activities, including at the expense of sending goods from the stations from the first 3 points without increasing the expenditure part (group 4).

According to Ukrzaliznytsia, these stations need to be optimized, since many of them handle a small amount of grain - about 1-2 cars per day.

However, the American Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is convinced that the closure of such a number of stations can lead to undesirable consequences, as it means the cessation of work of the same number of elevators, which are currently operating in the Ukrainian market. This in turn can lead to a reduction in grain exports.

The World Bank has repeatedly stated in its speeches that there is a problem with the lack of linear elevators in Ukraine. Therefore, instead of resolving already existing problems, the situation is intensifying.

In addition, Ukrzaliznytsya informed market participants about such a radical step just a month before the introduction of the relevant innovations. The market needs time to rebuild elevators, locate cars, locomotives, with which market participants could work at appropriate stations. Therefore, the experts of the ACC member companies are categorically opposed to such unpredictable decisions.

The experts noted that the issue of the efficiency of the work of the stations is a question of operational activity of Ukrzaliznytsia, and the main reason for their inefficiency is the lack of locomotives and rolling stock. According to the ACC, in February 2018, Ukrzaliznytsya raised the tariff for rail freight by approximately 35%, and these funds should be allocated for the construction, purchase of locomotives and grain trucks. However, during this period, no grain carriages or locomotives were built, which could serve those stations that are planned to be closed. There are no corresponding expenses in the financial plan of Ukrzaliznytsia.

To solve this problem, the ACC calls for the acting the chairman of the board of "Ukrzaliznytsya" Evgeniy Kravtsov to initiate appropriate changes to the legislation that will allow the use of private cravings in those areas where "Ukrzaliznytsya" will refuse to service the railway stations, as this is the only way out, when the elevator will be able to continue to function.

At present, the Ukrainian Agricultural Council analyzes the effect of the closure of the relevant stations on the activity and location at these elevators stations.