Kyiv City Council Proposes Hiking Metro Fare to 30 Hryvnias

Kyiv City Council Session

According to Главком: On June 18, 2026, the Kyiv City Council held a session where a proposal to raise the metro fare to 30 hryvnias was debated. This decision drew sharp criticism from council member Leonid Yemets, who pointed out that the current fare is just 8 hryvnias, making the proposed increase nearly a fourfold jump all at once. According to Yemets, annual metro expenses for city residents could range from 23,000 to 46,000 hryvnias.

Yemets highlighted how dire this situation is for those who must count every penny. He remarked:

'There’s a joke that’s not funny but very relevant today: if you feed a cow less but milk it more, it won’t give more milk. Unfortunately, the same scenario is unfolding now with transport tariffs.' Leonid Yemets

During Yemets’ speech, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, seated in the presidium, was seen talking, drinking water, and gesturing. At one point in the discussion, Klitschko made a slip of the tongue, calling Yemets’ position 'obedient' instead of 'reasonable,' which sparked indignation among those present.

Agenda and Public Reaction

The agenda also includes over three hundred other items, such as:

• Reviewing a draft decision to deny a company permission to develop land management projects on 0.9 hectares of land at 23 Zodchykh Street.
• Plans to increase funding for the 'Defender of Kyiv' program from 31 billion to 33 billion hryvnias.

This session has stirred widespread public reaction, as the transport fare hike would directly impact the lives of the capital’s residents.

The debate over raising metro fares reflects the broader trend of utility price increases in Ukraine, where such hikes can significantly strain household budgets, especially amid economic uncertainty. The city council’s next moves will be crucial in explaining the necessity of these changes and addressing potential social consequences for Kyivans.

The ongoing discussions around the metro fare increase have been further complicated by the recent rejection of a petition against the fare hike. This decision highlights the growing tensions between city officials and residents, as many express their concerns over the financial burden imposed by rising transport costs. Understanding the implications of these developments is essential for those affected by the proposed changes.