Free public transport may be introduced in Kyiv: Zelenskyy gave the government an instruction

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has instructed the government to develop a program for free travel on Kyiv’s surface public transport. The initiative is intended to ensure stable transport connections in the capital during possible metro stops and traffic complications across the Dnieper.

The head of state announced this on social networks.

According to the president, Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky, together with representatives of law enforcement agencies, has already presented options for backup transport schemes for Kyiv.

Currently, the issues of providing the capital with additional buses, organizing alternative routes and changing traffic in certain areas are being worked out.

According to Delo.ua, the need for such measures is associated with regular Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, which cause disruptions in electricity supply and public transport.

Why Kyiv needs backup transport routes

Due to the shortage of electricity in the capital, difficulties periodically arise with the operation of the metro, trams and trolleybuses.

In particular, on November 3, the movement of ground electric transport was temporarily suspended in Kyiv due to the critical situation in the power system after Russian shelling.

According to the director of the Energy Research Center, Oleksandr Kharchenko, many critical infrastructure facilities have backup power sources, but their capacity is not enough to ensure full-fledged operation.

That is why the authorities are considering the possibility of increasing the bus fleet and introducing backup passenger transportation schemes.

When will travel become free

At the moment, it is only a matter of an order to develop an appropriate program. The specific dates for its launch, the conditions for free travel, and the list of routes have not yet been announced.

It is expected that the government will present a detailed mechanism for organizing transportation after the completion of the preparation of proposals.