Kyiv's public transportation could become one of the most expensive in Europe
Kyiv is preparing a significant increase in public transportation fares to 30 hryvnias per trip, which could cause the capital to jump sharply in European rankings and join the ranks of cities with the most expensive public transportation. If the new fares take effect, monthly transportation costs for residents will increase severalfold and approach the levels seen in major European capitals. This was reported by the NGO “Kyiv Passengers.”
Kyiv plans to change its public transportation fare system, and these changes have already sparked heated debates among residents, experts, and civic organizations, as this is not merely a price adjustment but a de facto transition to a new price level that could significantly impact Kyiv residents’ daily expenses.
According to the NGO “Kyiv Passengers,” after the new fare is introduced, Ukraine’s capital could rank among the five most expensive cities in Europe in terms of public transportation costs, as a single ride could cost 30 hryvnias, and an unlimited monthly pass—4,875 hryvnias, which is equivalent to approximately 110 euros. “Kyiv could automatically become one of the five most expensive cities in Europe in terms of transportation costs,” the NGO notes, adding that the current calculations significantly alter the capital’s position in European rankings and make it less affordable for daily travel.
City officials explain that the fare adjustment is due to rising costs for electricity, fuel, salaries, and infrastructure maintenance, as well as the fact that prices were last changed back in 2018, so the current model no longer reflects real economic conditions. “Fare costs must be brought closer to an economically justified level,” the Kyiv City State Administration emphasizes, noting that without a fare adjustment, transit companies may face financial difficulties.
Separately, discounts are planned for passengers using transit cards: when purchasing a larger number of trips, the price will gradually decrease—from 30 hryvnias per single trip to 25 hryvnias for the maximum packages—and monthly passes with various trip options and an unlimited fare are also planned.
For students and schoolchildren, the city promises to maintain benefits, and for tourists, it plans to introduce separate short-term passes for 24, 48, and 72 hours, which should simplify public transit use for visitors.
At the same time, activists emphasize that the current fare model makes single trips relatively cheap but effectively “pushes” passengers out of the long-term pass system, whereas in most European cities, the opposite is true: they encourage the purchase of monthly and annual passes to reduce the use of private vehicles. “In Europe, they are betting on cheap long-term passes, while Kyiv is taking a different path,” notes the NGO “Kyiv Passengers,” emphasizing that the difference in the cost and quality of public transport compared to European capitals remains significant.
Amid news of fare hikes in Kyiv, an online petition calling for a halt to the changes until the end of martial law has emerged, and it has already gathered the required number of signatures for consideration, indicating significant public outcry over the issue.
By international standards, London remains the most expensive city in Europe for public transportation, while Kyiv, following the introduction of new fares, may approach the levels of Amsterdam, Stockholm, and Paris, significantly outpacing most cities in Central and Eastern Europe.
