Ukraine Overhauls Fare System for Eligible Passengers
Ukraine is preparing a significant change to its public transport fare system for eligible groups. Pension and veteran identification cards will no longer be valid for free travel. The state is transitioning to a new monetization model that will require the use of special bank cards for payment.
How the New Monetization System Will Work
Under draft law No. 5651-2, prepared by the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development, all passengers will pay for transport rides on a standard basis. Funds for these payments will be transferred to special bank cards from the state or local budgets. Passengers will then use these cards to pay via validators on buses and other forms of public transport.
The source of funding for travel expenses will depend on the beneficiary category. The state budget, in coordination with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, will cover travel costs for veterans. Other eligible groups will receive funds from their local community budgets, with the payment amount determined by each community's financial capacity.
The authors of the initiative state: 'No benefit certificates will be valid in transport or grant the right to free travel.'
This reform is part of a broader push to modernize state services and increase their transparency. The new system aims to create a more transparent and efficient fare payment structure across Ukraine. It is designed to reduce financial losses in the transport sector and ensure equal conditions for all passengers. These changes could also impact local community budgets, as their financial capacity will directly influence the funding available for subsidized travel.