Source: TRANSPORT STRATEGY CENTRE

Lemtrans is implementing a project that will help quickly identify intruders breaking down rail cars. Oleksii Voropaev, Lemtrans Security Director, told to the TSC what measures are being taken by the largest private rail car operator in Ukraine to reduce the number of cases of rolling stock breaking down and what part modern technologies play in it.

Can you estimate the amount of damage the rail car parts theft caused to the Company in recent years?

Let me give you some figures. 3,636 rail cars were somehow broken down in 2017. The related damage amounted to more than UAH 10 million. In 2018, the number of broken rail cars decreased to 2,408, but the damage increased to UAH 11 million. We suggest it was caused by the increase in the cost of parts. In 2019, we achieved some success in this regard: the number of thefts has decreased twice to 1,134 rail cars; damage, to UAH 5.7 million.

How was it possible to reduce the figures last year?

A complex of measures was taken. Firstly, UZ decided to prohibit the procurement of doubtful quality spare parts from doubtful contractors, and, moreover, to prohibit the purchase of spare parts without documents. Especially, the brake parts. Secondly, law enforcement agencies and paramilitary security forces began to work better, and we also took enhanced measures to eliminate the risk of breaking down our rail cars.

What measures does your Company take to reduce the number of breaking down cases?

As for internal actions, we apply hidden anti-vandal measures – these are the so-called additional methods of fastening (modernization of our main parts), which are agreed with UZ. In addition, we provided labelling of spare parts. We began to paint some parts and components of the rail cars in yellow, this paint is clearly visible against the background of our green rail cars and most difficult to wash off. Thus, we made it difficult to reuse our spare parts, as well as facilitated the process of identifying our spare parts on any other rail cars. These procedures are agreed with UZ. A set of these measures is quite effective, we have not yet found our yellow spare parts on any other rail cars.

What else are you going to implement?

We are implementing a project to provide our rail cars with GPS navigation. The point is to mark a rail car main components, allowing to get information on its state. Thus, we can see in real time at which section (station) spare parts were illegally dismantled, and quickly respond to it. In other words, we will be able to identify intruders since we have accurate information about the place and time where a theft takes place.

Are there any sections (stations) on the railway where thefts are committed more than in other places?

Most thefts are committed at stations. They steal everywhere, at all sections, but most of all at Donetsk and Cisdnieper Railways. For example, in 2019, 649 rail cars were broken down at the Cisdnieper Railways, and 361 rail cars, at Donetsk Railways. That is, almost 100% of theft cases in our Company were committed at these two railways. The largest number of rail cars broken down was found at Hrekuvata and Terny stations at Cisdnieper Railways, and Volnovakha, Mariupol-Sortuvalnyi at Donetsk Railways.

What types of spare parts they steal most often?

The most expensive of the stolen is the wheelset, main and conduit part of the brake system, automatic couplings, hatch covers. The most critical issue is that thefts are committed mainly regarding parts of the brake system of rail cars, without which rail cars lose the ability to brake, leading to an increase in accident rate in rail transport and threatens safety. It is important to understand that the result of the breaking down, in addition to huge material costs of all transportation participants and negative impact on the country’s economics, is primarily a threat to traffic safety, which directly affects people’s lives and health. The intervention, which seems to be insignificant, can have disastrous consequences (it can lead to rolling stock derailment). We are interested in safe carriage.

Tell us about the most prominent theft cases the Company has encountered. Among other things, information was published about the mass theft of rail car hatches in December 2019. At what stage is this criminal case now?

This is an example of successful cooperation with law enforcement agencies, the police still have more legal opportunities. We are prohibited to catch criminals by law. We provided our analytics, research records, and the police took their measures. And after a while, we managed to apprehend criminals by joint measures. Heads of the crime were arrested. Investigation is in the progress. The case will be referred to court, where the appropriate punishment will be determined for them.

What liability and in what cases does UZ bear in case of theft?

When concluding contracts, UZ, taking advantage of its monopoly position, does not include the provisions of its liability for rail cars and goods safety in the text of contracts. Therefore, these issues have to be resolved in court, using the provisions of law. We have to apply to court with civil suits. We apply to court in about 30% out of 100% of theft cases. This process is quite bureaucratic and time-consuming, that is why we go for such measures only when it is a significant loss for us. If it is a small theft, like for UAH 300, a lawsuit will cost us more than a stolen part.

What measures can UZ and the state take to solve the situation?

We support the initiative to establish a transport police, which will work to prevent the breaking down of freight cars and to patrol railway infrastructure. In addition, it is necessary to strengthen criminal liability for breaking down, as this carries a security risk. It is required to amend the Criminal Code, the Charter of the Railways, the Rules of Carriage. UZ, on its part, shall maintain reliable records and statistics on damage to rail cars, conduct prompt and impartial investigations of each case, on the basis of which it is possible to identify “critical” issues and provide additional measures in this regard, video surveillance, lighting, patrolling, which will significantly reduce the percentage of theft. I am sure only a comprehensive security programme will help solve this problem. We need real actions.