MEASURES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL REGULATION OF THE RAIL TRANSPORT SECTOR IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article explores the tools of administrative-and-legal regulation in Ukraine’s railway transport sector. It examines the main normative-legal acts establishing the order of railway transport operations, and the mechanisms of oversight and supervision of its functioning. Railway transport is a key element of Ukraine’s national transport infrastructure, ensuring the carriage of passengers and freight over long distances. Given its significant impact on the country’s economy and on connectivity between regions, this sector requires clear organisation and continual supervision.

The primary tool of administrative-and-legal regulation are legislative acts that set out the procedure for licensing, provision of services, safety standards, tariffs on carriage, and conditions for investment in the development of railway infrastructure. Such instruments include the Law of Ukraine “On Railway Transport”, as well as subordinate normative-legal documents regulating traffic safety, environmental standards, rules for passenger and freight carriage.

A key aspect is the activity of state authorities that carry out control and supervision of compliance with normative requirements. For example, the State Service of Ukraine for Transport Safety controls adherence to safety standards and labour protection in railway transport. Moreover, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine plays a vital role in monitoring market competition in railway services, particularly regarding the formation of tariffs for passenger and freight transport.

The article also analyses regulatory tools related to the integration of Ukraine’s railway transport into the European transport system. In view of EU-integration processes, Ukraine must adapt its national legislation to European standards of safety, environment and transport management. This entails sectoral reform, the development of modern technologies to enhance transport efficiency, and improved conditions for passengers.

Special emphasis is placed on the effectiveness of the administrative-legal control mechanisms for standard compliance, and on issues of transport safety and optimisation of the railway transport management system. The article justifies that successful reform and development of railway transport require both refinement of legal regulation and growth of the institutional capacity of control bodies.