Kyiv to Review Public Transport Fares
Kyiv's city authorities are preparing to review public transport fares due to a significant increase in operational costs. The current actual cost of a single journey is 44 UAH, yet passengers pay a heavily subsidized fare of just 8 UAH. The city budget covers the substantial difference, allocating billions of hryvnias annually to support transport operators. A new fare structure is expected to be determined within the next two to three months.
Fare calculations are based on expenses for salaries, fuel, spare parts, electricity, and vehicle depreciation. Sergiy Pidhainy, Director of the Transport Infrastructure Department of the Kyiv City State Administration, noted that the city is also considering introducing a 90-minute transfer ticket. Furthermore, Kyiv is working to modernize its vehicle fleet using loans from international financial institutions.
Financial Projections and Operational Costs
According to the financial plan of the municipal enterprise 'Kyiv Metro' for 2026, the projected cost per passenger will reach 64.53 UAH. For comparison, before the full-scale war, the Kyiv Metro estimated the cost per trip at just over 24 UAH, while 'Kyivpastrans' estimated over 21 UAH. As recently as December 2024, the metro's estimated cost was 36.90 UAH. This review comes as Ukraine's capital continues to manage the economic pressures of wartime, including inflation and damaged infrastructure.
The fare for public transport in the capital has not been revised since 2018. Sergiy Pidhainy emphasized:
“Adjusting this tariff is about reducing the burden on the city budget. The city faces the task of preparing for the next winter as part of its resilience plan. Economically, we aim to avoid placing a heavy burden on Kyiv's residents, but the new rates will be aligned with the parameters seen in other major cities.”
The fare revision is a crucial step to address rising transportation costs and ensure the financial stability of the municipal budget. Given that fares were last changed six years ago, new rates could significantly impact the city's economic situation and the daily lives of its residents. While the planned transfer ticket and fleet modernization could improve service quality, a fare increase is likely to cause public concern.
As Kyiv grapples with rising operational costs, it’s essential to consider the broader context of public transport fare adjustments across Ukraine. Recently, Lviv has also proposed fare increases, reflecting similar economic pressures. This trend highlights the challenges faced by major cities in balancing financial sustainability with the needs of residents.