OREANDA-NEWS. November 06, 2008. The Transport and Communications Ministry of Ukraine has halted increase in the tariffs on railway cargo transportations for the economic crisis period, Minister Yosyp Vinskyi says.

"We have clamped down a moratorium, and we will not change tariffs either on metal or other transportations, well realizing our role," he said adding the tariff on passenger transportations in coach cars will also remain unchanged.

Vinskyi noted that state railway transport administration Ukrzaliznytsia fell short of earning UAH 1 billion (UAH 5.79 / USD 1) because of halting tariff rises, which may tell on the rolling stock renovation pace.

Beside that, the transport ministry decided to put off for several months wage growth in the branch. But if the situation in the consumer market returns to stable, the wage growth moratorium will be lifted, Vinskyi says.

Earlier the transport ministry increased ratios to tariffs on freight transportations by rail 6.5% from August 23, and by 9.6% more from October 1.

On July 1, the transport and communications ministry increased tariffs on domestic rail transportations by 3%.