The article considers and analyzes railway transport risks. The general risk classification related to the passenger traffic has also been improved. In addition, for more sophisticated study of risk management and insurance issue, the features of railway transport insurance have been identified; the rules of railway transport voluntary insurance of various insurance companies are analyzed. As the result, it was constructed an improved classification of factors influencing the efficiency of the passenger train plying and associated with risks for passenger traffic, based on the studies carried out. The need to take into account the main factors affecting the efficiency of passenger transportation along with railway transport risks were noted. This should ensure an increase in the efficiency of passenger transportations and their competitiveness in the transport market of the country.