Economy

Million-dollar losses due to transport stoppages during air raids: will Kyiv change its rules in 2025?

ANALYSIS FROM

During the air alert, public transportation in Kyiv is suspended. This applies to the subway, ground stations, trams, trolleybuses, and buses. At the same time, private minibuses, taxis, and city trains continue to operate. According to the publication “Grunt,” such shutdowns caused significant financial losses for utilities in 2023: Kyivpastrans – UAH 51.2 million, and Kyiv Metro – UAH 57.6 million. At the same time, the city authorities reported that no changes in the functioning of public transport during the alarms are currently being considered. Does stopping transport really make the capital safer – read more in the article [Kommersant].

Oleksandr Grechko, co-founder of the NGO Kyiv Passengers, believes that the decision of the city authorities to stop public transport during air alerts is extremely harmful, as it hits Kyiv residents the hardest.

“In fact, it is as important a part of the city as the railroad, ambulance, police, or the State Emergency Service. When transport stops, people cannot get to work or to the doctor, doctors cannot get to patients, and critical services workers cannot perform their duties. Passengers are forced to use private minibuses or taxis, which are much more expensive. Instead of 8-15 hryvnias, they spend at best twice as much, and at worst 300-400 hryvnias for a taxi. The country is already facing a difficult economic situation, and the city is forcing people to spend even more because of the transportation stoppage,” emphasizes Grechko.

In his opinion, the city authorities should reconsider this ban, as public transportation is vital for the functioning of Kyiv.

How does Kyiv’s public transportation work during the air alert?

The Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA) provided an official response to the Komersant ukrainskyi regarding the operation of ground public transport during air alert and possible changes in 2025.

According to the protocol of the Kyiv City Defense Council of May 17, 2023, all carriers, including Kyivpastrans and private transport companies, are obliged to stop public transport during air alert, the agency notes.

In such cases, passengers are given the opportunity to leave the vehicle, and drivers must ensure evacuation to the nearest shelters. Such places include metro stations, underpasses, parking lots, etc. Passengers can disembark directly at public transport stops.

Will there be any changes in 2025?

Answered by the editorial team Komersant ukrainskyi the Kyivpastrans utility company noted that any adjustments to the operation of transport are possible only if the Kyiv Defense Council decides to do so. If such changes occur, the company will promptly adapt its work to the new requirements.

As a reminder, Kyiv is the only city in Ukraine where public transportation continues to stop during air raids.