You're reading: Kyiv Boryspil Express breaks down on the second day after its loud launch  

Kyiv Boryspil Express, the high-speed rail line connecting Kyiv Central Railway Station and Boryspil International Airport, got stuck because of the snow on Dec. 1.

The unfortunate incident happened the day after its public opening by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman and Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan.

Having left at 11:01 from the railway station, the rail bus was supposed to get to the airport in less than than 40 minutes. But it was five kilometers short of the airport before engine problems stopped it.

“Passengers who were hopelessly late for flights did a live streaming, while the most desperate ones were jumping out with suitcases into snowy field to overcome five kilometers to the airport over snow drifts deeper than 20 centimeters,” wrote Vitaliy Prudyus, 112 rolling news channel editor, on his Facebook page.

A day earlier, Groysman said that he was proud of this infrastructure project, which provides new services for citizens. He was also proud that PJSC Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraine’s railway monopoly, built its $17 million project in nine months.

However, after the express got stuck, Yevhen Kravtsov, acting board chairman of Ukrzaliznytsia, had to apologize for the inconvenience.

Now, he assures that currently there are no problems with Kyiv Boryspil Express and its stuck passengers. “All passengers reached their flights. One passenger was booked for a flight to Doha for tomorrow,” reported Kravtsov.

The same morning, Kravtsov tried to give practical advice to passengers: Use the express.  “The snow will fall all day. Here is a suggestion: if you are going to the airport – then you need to go only by Kyiv Boryspil Express.”

He even compared the prices to show how beneficial it is for passengers. “The price does not depend on the centimeters of snow on the roads –  fixed Hr 80 ($2.85). Taxi drivers now asking five times more –  Hr 400 ($14).”