Refurbished Railbus Pesa to Operate on the Ivano-Frankivsk — Vorokhta Route

The refurbished Railbus Pesa will soon begin operating on the Ivano-Frankivsk — Vorokhta route. Ukrainian Railways collaborated with Polish specialists to ensure high-quality modernization and improved service. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The Pesa railbus was manufactured by Poland’s Pesa Bydgoszcz in 2004. Operations stopped in 2022 because the train required a major overhaul. Ukraine lacked specialists capable of performing such repairs at that time.

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“Ukrainian Railways is mastering new types of repairs and modernizing its rolling stock. We learn from manufacturers to independently perform complex repairs in the future,” said Oleh Holovashchenko, director of the Passenger Company branch.

Previously, Ukrainian Railways successfully overhauled double-decker Škoda trains. Now, it has mastered the repair of Polish Railbus Pesa units. The company has 14 railbuses in its fleet, but only two remain operational.

Railbus Pesa: Modernization and Passenger Benefits

Initial repairs were carried out at the manufacturer’s plant in Poland, where staff received training. The final stage of the refurbishment was completed in November 2024 at Ukrainian facilities, marking a key step toward localizing such repairs.

The refurbishment significantly improved passenger comfort. The Railbus Pesa now offers 95 seats, providing a comfortable journey through scenic mountain resorts. Its route connects Ivano-Frankivsk with Vorokhta, a popular destination.

Future Prospects for Railbus Pesa Repairs

Ukrainian Railways plans to fully localize all stages of similar railbus repairs at its own facilities. This strategy will enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and accelerate the restoration of rolling stock.

The updated Railbus Pesa is expected to attract many passengers traveling to Western Ukraine. Its comfort and enhanced features aim to satisfy even the most demanding travelers.

The fully refurbished Railbus Pesa marks a new chapter in developing Ukraine’s railway infrastructure. By localizing repairs, Ukrainian Railways reduces reliance on foreign expertise and speeds up modernization processes.

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