Will public transport in Kharkiv remain free: the mayor's response

Free travel on public transport will continue in Kharkiv. The city authorities do not plan to cancel the benefit introduced during the war. This was announced by Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov in an interview with RBK-Ukraine.

According to Terekhov, all types of municipal transport — trams, trolleybuses, metro, and buses — remain free for city residents. This decision, he said, helps people save significant amounts every month.

«Trams, trolleybuses, metro, buses — this is municipal transport. We transport for free because for every family, it saves 3–4 thousand hryvnias a month. And for a pensioner — it is life,» Terekhov noted.

Furthermore, Terekhov reported that the city is actively preparing women drivers for buses and the metro. This is part of the city program aimed at increasing safety, equality, and passenger comfort.

The city authorities finance transport operations from the budget, compensating the expenses of municipal enterprises. Thus, Kharkiv residents can continue to use transport without payment.

Which public transport in Kharkiv has free travel

Currently, free travel applies to:

• trams;
• trolleybuses;
• metro;
• municipal buses.

Terekhov emphasized that free transportation will be maintained as long as the city’s financial condition allows. If resources are exhausted, the mayor promised to honestly inform residents about it.

«When there are no such opportunities, I will honestly tell the Kharkiv residents that we no longer have such opportunities,» he stressed.

Free travel in Kharkiv was introduced back in May 2022, when public transport resumed operations after active hostilities. The goal of the initiative is to support people during difficult times and reduce financial pressure on families. Since then, the city has continuously extended the program, despite economic difficulties and budgetary pressures.

Earlier, we reported that starting from 2026, a single ticket will be introduced for all types of transport in Ukraine.