The first stage of strategic cooperation on the supply of General Electric locomotives for Ukrzaliznytsia has been successfully completed. Volodymyr Omelyan, the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, stated the above during a visit to PJSC “Kryukov Railway Car Building Works” on March 22, 2019, within the framework of a working trip to Kremenchug, Poltava region.

Volodymyr Omelyan together with Yevhen Kravtsov, the Chairman of the Board of JSC Ukrzaliznytsia, Volodymyr Prikhodko, Chairman of Supervisory board of “KRCBW” PJSC, representatives of General Electric Transportation inspected the TE33AS Evolution diesel locomotives that were upgraded on the Kryukov Railway Car Building Works. As a part of the contract from the plant to Ukrzaliznytsya should be sent the last 5 out of 30 General Electric locomotives.

"The first stage of strategic cooperation on the supply of General Electric locomotives for Ukrzaliznytsia has been successfully completed. Concluded last year with the support of the President of Ukraine, a billion-dollar contract with General Electric already gives a positive multiplier effect. For the first time in 10 years, Ukrzaliznytsia received new locomotives.  New technologies and investments are involved. The production capacities of the Kryukov plant and related enterprises are additionally loaded and new jobs have been created. All this is the beginning of the development of the Ukrainian railway industry. The future of Ukrzaliznytsia is in cooperation with strategic partners and attracting of world and European investors in the framework of public-private partnership. It is necessary to deepen and expand joint work with existing partners and attract new ones", - Volodymyr Omelyan said.

He also noted that the General Electric locomotives are the first new rolling stock that Ukrzaliznytsia received in the last 26 years: "We did what nobody did for 26 years. These are the first new diesel locomotives that Ukrzaliznytsia received in 26 years. In fact, we did it in record time, despite the difficult negotiations. GE are very pleased with the cooperation with Kryukov Railway Car Building Works and satisfied with the high quality of work. And it is quite realistic to achieve 40% localization in the near future. It is important for us not to lose the pace, so that at least 15 new locomotives were transferred to Ukrzaliznytsya".

The Head of the Ministry stressed that the adoption of the draft law on rail transport by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine would contribute to the rapid development of the rail industry. "Full renewal of rolling stock, modernization of the track and all infrastructure, development of high-speed rail, increasing of the salary of railway workers – these all are possible if the parliament adopt a law on railways as soon as possible, introduce private traction and attract strategic investors", -  the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine said.