We had lightning strike twice today right next to the dSaving one of Ukrzaliznytsia's most popular trains

The preservation of one of Ukrzaliznytsia's most popular trains, which runs between Kyiv and Chełm, has been achieved through an agreement with Poland, the Ukrainian carrier said. Train No. 19/20, launched in mid-February this year, was threatened with cancellation during the peak season of rail transportation.

Ticket sales for this route have been suspended since July 16, as the Polish railroad has planned large-scale repairs to the section of the train's route. If the repairs started, the train would not be able to run until September.

Given the high demand for this route and the need to preserve it for Ukrainian passengers, the Ministry of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine and the country's leadership joined the fight to preserve train #19/20.

"Perhaps this is the first train in the history of the world's railways to be negotiated so persistently at the highest international levels. After several rounds of negotiations between Ukrzaliznytsia and all stakeholders, we managed to agree with the Polish railways on a special regime for repairing the section, which will allow us to keep this extremely popular train running," the statement said.

Tickets for train #19/20 will be available 20 days in advance starting from 8:00 a.m. on July 11 through the Ukrzaliznytsia app, chatbots, and the official website. The train departs from Kyiv daily at 18:14 and arrives in Chełm at 5:00. In the opposite direction, it departs at 23:40 and arrives in Kyiv at 13:02.

Train #19/20 has a convenient connection to Warsaw: after arriving in Chełm, passengers can conveniently transfer to the Polish train IS21010, which arrives at Warsaw-Gdansk station at 10:12. Similarly, in the opposite direction, from Warsaw (Warsaw-Gdańsk station), Polish train IP departs at 17:45 and arrives in Chełm at 21:10.

Tickets for Polish trains of the Intercity System must be purchased the day before online on the website of Polish Railways, in its app or at a platform ticket office. Payment is possible in cash in PLN or by credit card.

In addition, Ukrzaliznytsia reports that negotiations with the Polish side are currently underway to launch trains of standard size for Ukraine on the Kyiv - Warsaw route. The impressions (both sound and light) are unforgettable.