In Kyiv, route №461 is being closed: residents of Borshchahivka are left without direct connection to the metro.

According to ТСН: A transport scandal has erupted in Kyiv due to the suspension of passenger transportation on route №461 by the company "Kyitrans-2005". Residents of the Svyatoshyn district believe that this decision is baseless and has been in effect since December 22.

Local residents confirm the closure of the route, having received information from dispatchers and drivers of the carrier. However, there have been no official announcements for passengers and local authorities.

Violation of rights and social tension

The community considers the actions of the carrier to be a violation of the terms of the transportation contract, negatively affecting their right to accessible transport. They claim that route №461 was the only non-transfer route to reach the "blue" metro line.

“Due to the cessation of route №461, residents of Borshchahivka and surrounding areas are deprived of direct transport connection to the Exhibition Center (VDNH). Passengers are forced to make two or three transfers, which significantly increases travel time, creates social tension, and complicates access to workplaces, educational institutions, and medical facilities,” residents of Borshchahivka emphasize.

Borshchahivka demands immediate action

Residents are demanding:

• An official explanation regarding the reasons for stopping route №461 and the legal grounds for such actions by the carrier.

• An inspection of the compliance of "Kyitrans-2005" with the terms of the contract, with possible sanctions in the event of violations.

• Restoration of the route with resumption or creation of an alternative route with a short interval.

One bus is still operating on the route

The Department of Transport Infrastructure of the Kyiv City State Administration reported that the carrier's activities have not been completely halted yet. One bus is on route №461, although there is a chance of closure.

“There is still one bus operating on route №461, so it has not disappeared. However, the passenger flow is very low. If there were enough passengers, the private carrier would never have given up this route. Currently, even one minibus operates at a loss,” stated the Department of Transport Infrastructure.

Reasons: low demand and driver mobilization

The cessation of route №461's operations is caused by two main factors: low profitability and a lack of drivers due to mobilization.

“Mobilization has seriously affected both private and municipal carriers (KP "Kyivpastrans"). There is indeed a great shortage of drivers,” the department emphasized.

Will municipal buses be sent for rescue?

Transport service representatives doubt that the city will be able to redirect KP "Kyivpastrans" buses to route №461, as it is a long route with low passenger flow.

“In the absence of sustainable passenger demand, such a decision is economically unreasonable. Even if we have rolling stock, it is very ineffective to pull drivers to that route, which are in short supply,” the Department stated.

However, they promise to analyze the situation in more detail to find an acceptable alternative for all parties.

What do transport associations say?

The head of the Transport Association of Kyiv and the Kyiv region emphasizes that the situation with routes in the capital is complicated. He confirmed that "Kyitrans-2005" has closed two routes, including №461 and 439.

“The main reason for the closure is unprofitability and low ticket prices, as well as insufficient drivers due to mobilization and prolonged power outages that affect the maintenance of rolling stock,” the head of the association said.

Riding on minibus №461 costs 15 hryvnias, but the carrier has not raised this price.

“Currently, no one allows the fare to be raised. Therefore, the fare on public transport stays as it is. If the price goes up to 20 or 30 hryvnias, nobody will praise the carrier for that,” explained the expert.

The head of the association also noted that mobilization has critically impacted private carriers in Kyiv.

“The situation was not very good with drivers, and now it has become critical. Some carriers are trying to take drivers under protection, but can provide no more than half of the staff,” he comments.

A shortage of drivers and low profitability have led transportation in Kyiv to the brink of unprofitability. This may negatively impact the future operations of carriers.

“Routes with low passenger flow will continue to close. The number of routes at risk is currently unknown, as it depends on the endurance of the carriers,” stated the head of the association.