Promises vs reality
Another widely promoted transport project has fallen short of expectations: the so-called direct railway connection from Kyiv to Chisinau International Airport turned out to include an unexpected transfer.
Instead of arriving directly at the airport by train, passengers were required to switch to buses on Moldovan territory.
How the journey unfolded
The train, carrying around 50 passengers, departed Kyiv at 19:00 on April 13 and arrived at Revaca station near Chisinau without incident. However, from there, passengers were transported to the airport by bus.
The buses were reportedly provided free of charge by the airport, but the transfer itself contradicted expectations of a seamless rail journey.
Experimental route
This section of the railway has previously been used only for freight traffic, making the passenger service largely experimental. Despite this, the route had been presented as a direct rail connection.
Authorities argue that the transfer takes only about 15 minutes and helps avoid city traffic. If the trial proves successful, the route could become permanent.
Official explanation
Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Bolea described the launch as a test run and outlined plans to modernize Revaca station.
According to him, the station will be upgraded and renamed “Revaca Airport,” with improved facilities, accessibility features, and passenger services. However, these upgrades remain in the planning stage.
Expectations vs delivery
For now, passengers must handle transfers with luggage, including families with children. The gap between expectations and actual service has raised questions about how the project was presented to the public.
Many travelers assumed that a “direct” train would deliver them straight to the airport terminal, rather than requiring an additional transfer.
