Traveling with children requires a completely different level of organization than a regular trip, because during a war, parents are not only concerned with seats in the carriage, but also with a safe space, everyday comforts, thoughtful details for caring for children, and a calm atmosphere on the road. The updated children’s compartment carriages, which Ukrzaliznytsia is putting into operation this spring in partnership with Visa, are aimed at this travel format.
Updating the fleet of children’s carriages
This spring, “Ukrzaliznytsia” in partnership with Visa is launching six new children’s compartment carriages, which after major renovation will receive educational and interactive elements and will be adapted for safer travel with children.
The first three cars have already been included in trains No. 011/012 Lviv – Odesa and No. 001/002 Kharkiv – Ivano-Frankivsk. Ticket sales for them opened from Lviv on April 24, from Odessa on April 25, from Kharkiv on May 2, and from Ivano-Frankivsk on May 3.
The remaining three cars are planned to be added to other passenger routes in the near future, so the upgrade covers the entire fleet of six specialized cars, not individual trips.
To present the converted cars, a special trip was organized under a retro steam train, in which children cared for by the Save Ukraine charity organization took part. This format of the first trip became part of the launch of the project and at the same time showed how these cars work in real conditions.
What has been changed for the safety of children
During the renovation of the carriages, attention was focused on the details that determine the daily comfort of the family on the road. Handrails were installed in the corridors taking into account the height of the child, the upper shelves were equipped with protection, and playpens were prepared for the little ones to sleep.
Additionally, the carriages were equipped with changing tables, hinged seats in the toilets, and bottle warmers, which makes traveling easier for parents with babies. For passengers with reduced mobility, folding ramps were provided, so the space was also adapted for those passengers who need more convenient access to the car.
Along with everyday amenities, the updated cars have retained the children’s menu on board. Among the items offered to passengers, cheesecakes and buckwheat nuggets remained, i.e. dishes designed for children’s familiar tastes and a simple format for eating on the train.
Special attention was also paid to the atmosphere of the trip itself. As part of the project, a children’s audio fairy tale is being created in collaboration with writer Sasha Dermansky, which will be broadcast every evening after the trains depart from the starting stations.
The converted cars are aimed at families for whom a trip without unnecessary difficulties, everyday discomfort and the constant need to adapt a regular car to the needs of the child is important. Due to the combination of safety solutions, everyday amenities and special content, this travel format is designed for passengers with children of all ages, including the youngest.
