Thousands of Breslover chassidim preparing to travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah 5787 are facing steep increases in transportation costs, with fares from European airports, border crossings and Ukrainian train stations rising by tens of percentage points compared with last year.
An examination by Emess comparing official price lists from the previous two years with newly published rates for Rosh Hashanah 5787 found substantial increases across nearly every major route and vehicle category. The report also found that the two primary transportation companies serving Uman travelers, Paichele and Uman Express, are advertising completely identical prices this year.
For travel from Chisinau, Moldova, to Uman, the cost of a private car increased from $500 to $550, a 10% rise. A VIP SUV climbed from $650 to $750, an increase of approximately 15.4%, while a five- to seven-passenger minivan jumped from $700 to $900, or roughly 28.5%. An 18-seat Sprinter rose from $1,400 to $1,500, approximately 7.1%.
Travel from Iasi, Romania, saw even sharper increases. A private car now costs $650, compared with $500 last year, representing a 30% jump. A VIP SUV rose from $650 to $800, approximately 23%, while a minivan climbed from $700 to $1,000 — an increase of approximately 42.8%. An 18-seat Sprinter increased from $1,400 to $1,700, or roughly 21.4%.
The journey from Bucharest to Uman has also become significantly more expensive. A private car increased from $950 to $1,100, approximately 15.8%, while a VIP SUV jumped from $1,100 to $1,400, or roughly 27.2%. Minivan prices surged from $1,200 to $1,700, an increase of approximately 41.6%, and Sprinter transportation rose from $2,300 to $2,800, or approximately 21.7%.
Travelers arriving through Poland are seeing similar increases. A private car from Rzeszow to Uman has risen from $800 to $1,000, a 25% increase. Minivans from Warsaw or Katowice, previously priced between $1,400 and $1,500, now cost $2,000, representing increases ranging from approximately 33% to 42%. Sprinter transportation from those cities has increased from roughly $2,700-$2,750 to $3,200, approximately 17%.
Prices have also climbed for travelers continuing to Uman from Ukrainian railway stations. A private car from Vinnytsia, previously costing between $150 and $180, now costs $210. Minivan service from Vinnytsia has jumped from approximately $210-$250 to $350, while a minivan from Khmelnytskyi now costs $600, compared with $400-$480 previously.
Perhaps the most striking finding in the new price lists is that Paichele and Uman Express are advertising precisely the same rates for every vehicle category, destination, border crossing and surcharge examined in the report, without even a one-dollar difference between the two companies.
A senior Breslov community activist sharply criticized the situation, raising concerns about possible price coordination in a market where travelers have few alternatives.
“It is simply terrible to see how prices are skyrocketing in such an extreme and unprecedented manner from year to year, placing an unbearably heavy financial burden on the chassidim. But even more serious is that the only two companies currently providing transportation services are matching their price lists and presenting completely identical prices. There is a serious concern of price coordination in a closed market. When there are only two options on the ground and they are completely coordinated, the public becomes captive and has no alternative or opportunity for free competition on the way to Rabbeinu.”
The transportation companies rejected the implication that the higher rates were arbitrary, pointing instead to sharply rising operating costs caused by the continuing war in Ukraine, fuel prices, infrastructure problems and shortages of available drivers.
Paichele told Emess: “The increase in prices is an unavoidable reality resulting directly from the war in Ukraine and Russia’s bombardment of power stations and fuel infrastructure in the country. Fuel prices have nearly tripled and continue to rise consistently, and last winter there was almost no electricity in the country. In addition, there has been a sharp increase in all cost-of-living indexes and logistical expenses in Ukraine, making it extremely difficult to operate the transportation system.”
Uman Express offered a similar explanation, saying its rates reflect significantly higher costs on the ground.
“It is important for us to clarify that the prices were determined according to actual costs, which have risen very significantly this year. The main factor is the sharp increase in fuel prices in Ukraine, and in addition, there is a significant shortage of drivers who are able and permitted to leave Ukraine, which makes it very difficult to find available drivers and increases operating costs. Beyond that, prices throughout the Ukrainian market have risen considerably, not only for pilgrims but also for the local population. We were forced to adjust prices to the existing reality, and we are making every effort to maintain fair prices without compromising service, safety and reliability.”
{Matzav.com}
