Purpose. The paper is aimed to analyse the existing car traffic organization at the marshalling yard aimed to reduce downtime of cars. Methodology. The methods of mathematical statistics allowed building the histogram of car traffic flow distribution at the marshalling yard and assessment of their parameters. The key quantitative and qualitative indicators of the station operation were analyzed. In order to analyze the effect of rehandling volume on the rehandled transit car downtime elements at the station we plotted the dependence graph of the car downtime elements on the rehandling volume. The curve variation on the graph clearly shows the effect of rehandling volume on two downtime elements: during formation and in expectation of operations. Findings. The question of reducing the average downtime of all car categories at the station should be solved by reducing unproductive downtime was proved. The correct determination of the average time spent by a rehandled transit car at the station is essential, especially in the conditions of new system of economic incentives. But still there is no separate methodology for determining the car downtime, which would allow to objectively consider the equipment and operation technology and exclude the possibility for subjective decisions. Originality. One of the main kinds of unproductive downtime during the carriage of goods by rail is a downtime on the marshalling yards in expectation of technological operations because of the system congestion. Reduction of this indicator is possible due to rational use of the marshalling yard capacity provided the rational distribution and car – and train flows between the major marshalling yards of Ukrzaliznytsia. Practical value. The analysis of changes in downtime elements, depending on the rehandling volume allows not only to identify the car downtime reduction methods, but also to make a correct assessment of station staff work, as well as to adjust the rate of idle wagons.