Fare increase to 30 UAH leads to 4.5 million drop in Kyiv passenger traffic

Add Prompolitinform to your Preferred Sources

You will see our news more often on Google and find important Prompolitinform stories faster.

INFRASTRUCTURE 09.09.2026 / author:
Fare increase to 30 UAH leads to 4.5 million drop in Kyiv passenger traffic

The municipal operator's revenue doubled while single ticket prices rose nearly fourfold

Following the fare increase to 30 UAH for Kyiv surface transport, the number of passenger trips in August 2026 dropped by 4.5 million compared to the same period last year. Total monthly ridership reached 19 million trips, down from 23.5 million in 2025. This was reported by Hmarochos citing Kyivpastrans, according to the portal PromPolitInform.

Kyivpastrans municipal company disclosed these figures in response to an inquiry from lawyer Vitalii Dudin. The data shows that before the new fare took effect on July 15, this year’s ridership metrics exceeded those of the previous year; however, the trend shifted downward following the price adjustment.

It is worth noting that approximately 58% of the company’s passengers are eligible for subsidized travel. Experts have pointed out that fare hikes primarily affect paying passengers, while subsidized riders continue to use the system without financial changes.

Financial performance and revenue

Despite the overall decline in ridership, revenue from single-ticket sales doubled. Meanwhile, the cost of a single ride increased by a factor of 3.75, rising from 8 to 30 UAH. Part of this revenue can be attributed to pre-hike demand, as residents stockpiled tickets at the lower rate.

Another factor impacting revenue structures was the slump in demand for long-term travel passes. Following the tariff increase, pass sales fell by 54%. Kyivpastrans clarifies that travel passes constitute a minor share of its total financial intake.

Wages and property leasing

The disclosed documents also provide details on staff compensation. The average monthly salary for permanent employees is 49,000 UAH before taxes, or 37,800 UAH net after mandatory deductions.

The report also notes that the number of inspectors has been halved since 2021, currently standing at 150. Rental income for the first half of 2026 amounted to 2 million UAH, remaining consistent with previous years’ trends.

Illustrative photo: Anatoliy-024 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Read also: Repairs and Fairs in Kyiv: Where Traffic Will Be Restricted and Routes Changed