Sharp Decline in Passenger Numbers at Kyiv Metro
Over the past six years, passenger traffic on the Kyiv Metro has dropped by almost half, significantly driving up the cost per ride. In 2019, the system carried 495.3 million passengers, but by 2024 that figure had fallen to 241 million, with only a slight recovery to 249.1 million in 2025. Experts attribute this exodus to the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit ridership in 2020–2021, and to the full-scale war that began in 2022. For context, Kyiv's population has largely returned to pre-war levels, and daily commuting from suburbs such as Brovary, Vyshhorod, Boryspil, Obukhiv, and Fastiv remains stable.
Despite the stable suburban commuter flow, a large share of the metro's costs are fixed and do not change with passenger numbers. This has become a critical issue, as intervals on some surface routes have stretched to 45 minutes, and fleet renewal has effectively stalled. The situation is compounded by the fact that in 2024–2025, about 58% of surface transport passengers were fare-exempt riders.
Fare Hikes and Challenges Ahead
Kyiv authorities are planning to raise public transport fares to 30 UAH per single trip. According to Heorhii Mohylnyi,
“halving passenger traffic effectively doubles the cost of transportation.”He added that
“if people don't trust the metro, the priority should be winning them back, not raising fares for those who remain.”
Expert Dmytro Bespalov noted that the city's stated cost per metro ride—nearly 65 UAH—may be realistic, but the key issue lies in how that figure is calculated. He emphasized that “public transport fares are primarily a political decision, not an economic one.” The ongoing decline in ridership and the proposed fare increase highlight the complex economic and social pressures facing Kyiv Metro, raising concerns that higher prices could drive even more passengers away.
The significant drop in ridership at the Kyiv Metro raises important questions about the true cost of a ride. As authorities consider fare increases, understanding the real expenses associated with metro travel becomes crucial for both commuters and policymakers. This analysis could shed light on the financial challenges facing public transportation and its impact on the city's residents.