Kyiv Lawmaker Slams Metro Fare Hike: Annual Costs Could Reach 46,000 Hryvnias for Residents.

Fare Increase Under Fire: A Kyiv City Council Member Speaks Out

According to Novyny.live: Leonid Yemets, a deputy in the Kyiv City Council, has strongly criticized a proposed fourfold increase in metro fares, calling the plan 'irresponsible toward the people.' He warns that such a drastic rise would place a heavy financial burden on everyday commuters, particularly teachers, healthcare workers, and other public servants who rely on the subway daily and cannot afford private cars. According to Yemets, the move fails to account for the economic realities facing many Kyiv residents.

Funding Decisions and Social Repercussions

On June 18, the Kyiv City Council approved a €150 million loan to purchase 50 new metro cars, a step aimed at modernizing the capital's aging transit infrastructure. At the same time, council members allocated 2 billion hryvnias to the 'Defender of Kyiv' program, which supports the city's security and defense efforts. Notably, the city has already spent 3 billion hryvnias this year on combat units. Yemets’ calculations show that the proposed fare increase could push annual commuting costs for a single passenger to between 23,000 and 46,000 hryvnias—a sum that would severely strain household budgets.

The deputy is urging city authorities to weigh the social consequences of any tariff changes, emphasizing that this issue directly affects the well-being of countless Kyivans. The debate highlights the delicate balance between funding necessary infrastructure upgrades and maintaining affordable public services, especially during a period of economic uncertainty. As the city pours resources into both transit improvements and defense, critics argue that decision-makers must not overlook the financial limits of the average citizen.