In Ukraine, free travel for pensioners is changing: where they will have to pay

The right to free travel for pensioners depends not only on the benefits status but also on the type of transport and decisions made by specific communities. In Kropyvnytskyi, personalized cards are being introduced for free travel for beneficiaries. This is reported by Politeka.

Free travel in Kropyvnytskyi: what changes in September 2026

In Kropyvnytskyi, from September 2, the issuance of personalized transport cards for beneficiaries has begun. 26 categories of community residents, as well as registered internally displaced persons, have the right to receive them.

The transition to the new system will last until March 1, 2027. The cards are intended for use in the municipal transport benefits. In total, almost 80 thousand people have the right to them in the Kropyvnytskyi community.

At the same time, the rules for private carriers may differ. The possibility of free travel depends on the category of the passenger, type of route, and the mechanism of compensation to the carrier from the local budget. Earlier, specialists already explained the conditions for free travel for pensioners.

Where pensioners will have to pay for travel in 2026

For pensioners, the state benefit applies to specific types of public transport. At the same time, a pension for length of service does not automatically grant the right to free travel: another benefits status may be required.

Free travel also does not apply to all types of transport. Specifically, the general pension benefit does not work for intercity buses, long-distance trains, and taxis. For private urban routes, rules may be defined at the community level.

Therefore, pensioners and military pensioners should check the rules of their city and specific route before traveling. There is no single new rule cancelling free travel for all military pensioners in Ukraine from September.

Recall that in September, Inkorr separately clarified who has the right to free travel and what documents are necessary to have on public transport.