Public transport funding in the city is provided by the municipal budget
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov stated that maintaining the free public transport system in the city costs the budget up to 4 billion hryvnias annually. These expenses are covered by the local treasury to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the municipal transport service. This was reported by Radio Khartiia, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
Maintaining transport infrastructure under martial law remains one of the key challenges for the municipality. According to Ihor Terekhov, the decision to provide free travel for passengers on the metro, buses, and trolleybuses remains in effect despite the significant financial burden on the local budget.
The 4 billion hryvnia expenditure covers operational costs for vehicle maintenance, transport worker wages, and energy bills. The city covers these expenses entirely to avoid placing additional financial pressure on the residents who remain in Kharkiv.
Stable public transport operation is considered a priority for the city administration as it is a matter of critical infrastructure. Funds for transport needs are allocated from the city budget, even though business activity in the region remains limited due to hostilities and infrastructure damage.
The future financing strategy will depend on the overall state of budget revenues and the city’s ability to cover current expenses without external subsidies. The mayor emphasizes that this form of public support is a deliberate measure to maintain citizens’ mobility amidst security threats.
Illustrative photo: Виконавчий комітет Харківської міської ради. / Public domain
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