In Kharkiv, free travel on public passenger transport is financed from the community budget. According to the city council, transport expenditures have been increasing every year, and in 2026, more than UAH 3.6 billion has been allocated for it. The city has also confirmed that free travel in Kharkiv is planned to be maintained. This was stated in the response of the Department of Budget and Finance of the Kharkiv City Council to a journalistic request from the portal «Comments».
How much has Kharkiv spent on public transport
The city supports transport enterprises with current and capital transfers. According to official data, the budget allocated:
- in 2022 — UAH 1,349.1 million;
- in 2023 — UAH 2,144 million;
- in 2024 — UAH 2,781.3 million;
- in 2025 — UAH 3,390.4 million.
«The volume of expenditures from the budget of the Kharkiv City Territorial Community, which were allocated and spent on the maintenance and development of public passenger transport for the year 2022 amounts to UAH 1,349.1 million», — reported Andriy Grynenko, Deputy Director of the Budget and Finance Department.
Among the funding areas are the operation of trams, trolleybuses, buses, and the metro. Expenses for free public transport in Kharkiv remain a subject of discussions, particularly due to the burden on the city budget.
What amounts are planned for 2026 and 2027
For 2026, the community budget has allocated UAH 3,640.5 million for financing public passenger transport. As of October 1, UAH 2,392 million of this amount has already been spent.
«The budget of the Kharkiv City Territorial Community for 2026 allocates UAH 3,640.5 million for financing public passenger transport», — noted Andriy Grynenko.
In the projected budget indicators for 2027, UAH 3,266.1 million has currently been planned for the stable operation of transport enterprises. The final amount of funding may be determined during the formation and approval of the budget.
Previously, the city council also reported on how the city supports free travel on transport.