Klitschko responds to Zelenskyy's initiative on free fares and transit reserve in Kyiv

Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko responded to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's initiative on free travel on ground public transit and a reserve of buses in the capital on November 9. Klitschko stated that Kyiv has the necessary reserve of buses, but he highlighted the lack of drivers. He mentioned that the city added 129 routes, with 418 buses operated by 685 drivers.

Additionally, 680 minibus routes operated by private carriers run in the city. Klitschko noted that Kyivpastrans, the municipal public transport operator, can add 25 more buses, but it would require at least 50 drivers. He emphasized that ground transit cannot match the metro's regularity due to street traffic. The mayor also mentioned that Kyiv owes the government over 8 billion hryvnias in subsidies for free fares for benefit-eligible citizens, who make up about 1 million passengers annually.

Klitschko accused the government of blocking his Resilience Plan for half a year and now targeting public transit. The Interior Ministry's communications department director, Anton Strashko, clarified that the search for bus drivers should be managed by Kyivpastrans, not the police. Since the Northern Bridge was hit by Russian missiles on November 7, traffic on the bridge and metro has been affected, leading to traffic jams and frequent delays.

Zelenskyy instructed Prime Minister Sergiy Koretskyi to create a free travel program on ground transit and reserve buses if metro or bridge disruptions occur.