ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF SEMI HIGH-SPEED RAILWAY SERVICE DEVELOPMENT IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article analyzes the current state of semi high-speed railway service in Ukraine and explores the economic aspects for its further development. The actuality of the chosen topic lies in the fact that the development of semi high-speed railway service is a strategic aspect of the modernization of railway infrastructure and the development of the national economy, and semi high-speed railway transport can become an effective tool for activating economic processes and increasing the mobility of the population of Ukraine, ensuring reliable connections between regions and restoring important transport corridors. The article analyzes the current situation in the field of semi high- speed railway service in Ukraine, studies the structure, dynamics and forecasts of passenger transportation by semi high-speed electric trains, outlines the economic and social benefits of the introduction of semi high-speed railway service and identifies current problems that complicate its development. It is noted that limited opportunities for updating passenger rolling stock cause problems with the reliability of the transport system as a whole, and one of the most important problem that limits the expansion of the semi high-speed transport network and prevents the launch of new routes is the insufficient number of semi high-speed trains. It is considered that one of the tools that will allow significantly expanding the fleet of semi high-speed electric trains in Ukraine is a project of procurement of 20 semi high-speed electric trains of Korean production at the expense of a concessional loan from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund of the Export-Import Bank of the Republic of Korea (EDCF) within the implementation of the Framework Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Republic of Korea regarding loans from the EDCF for 2024-2029. Using the PEST-analysis methodology, a number of arguments in favor of the implementation of the specified project were identified, according to the results of which the project was recognized as expedient for implementation and necessary from the point of view of maintaining critical infrastructure in good conditions.