To knit closer ties between Romania and Ukraine, the two nation’s railroads will launch faster, daily passenger and freight trains between Suceava and Chernivtsi

. A 100 km north-south rail line connects the two cities. But the train ride currently takes six hours due to the need to change car carriages to align with track gauges. Starting Jan. 1, passengers will change trains at the Ukrainian border town of Vadul-Siret, shortening the trip to 3 hours. For freight, the two railroads will also offer piggyback transportation – truck trailers carried on flat rail cars. Transport officials of both countries agreed last week to issue more permits for Ukrainian buses and trucks to travel into Romania.