Ukrainian News learned this from a statement by the press service of Ukrzaliznytsia, the wording of which was made available to the agency.

For booking a railway ticket through the Internet one should visit the Web site of Ukrzaliznytsia (www.uz.gov.ua), section "For Passengers" to obtain information about viability of tickets for certain trains, about the price of tickets, and to formalize the booking of required tickets.

One can book tickets for trains that will depart within 45 days.

The payment for booking tickets can be performed via a card of the National System of Mass Electronic Payments (NSMEP) or via an international card (VISA, MasterCard, VISA Electron, Maestro).

On booking a ticket, a passenger receives a unique code.

Passenger will purchase the booked tickets on telling the code at the booking office within two days after the tickets are booked.

Also, the Ukrzaliznytsia state rail transport administration intends to introduce a service of payment for tickets through the Internet with differed printing from Jan. 2009.

According to a representative of Ukrzaliznytsia, technical questions are being decided at present to introduce the services.

In particular, Ukrzaliznytsia considers possibility of self-printing of tickets or printing of tickets at booking offices on presentation of the special code.

The Ukrzaliznytsia state rail transport administration plans to introduce in the period from July through Dec. 2009 sales of tickets via special self-service automatic machines and electronic payment for tickets.

As Ukrainian News earlier reported, the Ukrzaliznytsia state rail transport administration started gradual introduction of the sale of electronic travel documents through the Internet in 2007.

Earlier, Ukrzaliznytsia said it would introduce information services and ticket booking via the Internet by Oct. 2008.

The Ukrzaliznytsia state rail transport administration used to plan introduction of sales of tickets via special self-service automatic machines by 2009 and introduce electronic payment booking and payment for tickets in July 2009.

The Southern railroad introduced reservation of travel tickets via the Internet in June.

Ukrzaliznytsia, which monopolizes rail transport in Ukraine, unites the six railways in the country.