Beneficiary travel in public transport in Ukraine is planned to be reformed: paper certificates will be canceled, and the system will be transferred to a digital format with payments to bank cards. At the same time, the mechanism for free trips may change due to a new approach to funding. This is reported by 24 channel.
Beneficiary travel 2026: how the new system will work
This refers to draft law No. 5651-2, which provides for a complete change in the model of preferential transport. Instead of presenting a certificate in transport, all passengers will pay for the trip regardless of their status.
Key innovations:
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beneficiary certificates will no longer be used in transport;
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all passengers will pay for travel;
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beneficiaries will receive compensation to their bank cards.
After the system is implemented, the algorithm will be as follows:
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funds for beneficiary travel will be credited to the card;
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during the trip, it needs to be tapped on the validator;
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the system will automatically record the benefit;
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the carrier will receive compensation from the state or local authorities.
The Ministry of Development emphasizes that benefits are not canceled: «The draft law does not reduce any benefits, but only creates a mechanism for their real use».
Funding of benefits: why restrictions may occur
The key change relates to funding sources. This can impact the volume of benefits in different cities.
The following model is provided:
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for war veterans, compensation will be covered by the state budget;
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for other categories — local budgets;
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some benefits will be financed by specialized state agencies.
This means that the volume of free trips will depend on the financial capabilities of communities. The less money in the local budget, the stricter the restrictions may be.
The reform will be implemented gradually, and the transition period may last until July 1, 2028.
Currently, pensioners and other beneficiary categories have the right to free travel in public transport (with certain exceptions), tax benefits, and other social guarantees. Some groups also receive compensation for utility services and fuel, especially those who worked in rural areas.
Earlier we wrote that the beneficiary travel of pensioners will be transferred to bank cards.