A serious dispute has erupted in Kyiv regarding the future cost of public transport. The Kyiv City Council of Trade Unions officially insists that the authorities postpone the fare increase for at least six months. The argument is straightforward: the city must have time to develop real protection mechanisms for low-income residents before introducing new prices.

Request for Postponement and Protection for Budget Employees

The issue of tariffs has been discussed for over a month. Representatives of trade unions, the Kyiv City State Administration (Kyiv City Council), and municipal enterprises participated in the negotiations. On June 18, the trade unions adopted a resolution and sent it to the city hall. Their proposal is clear: freeze the introduction of new tariffs for six months. During this time, the authorities must form an effective system for compensating travel expenses for workers with low incomes, especially those employed in the budgetary sector, municipal, and state structures.

Trade unions emphasize that teachers, medical workers, and cultural workers, who receive some of the lowest salaries in the capital, physically will not be able to pay the proposed tariffs in the conditions of war and high inflation.

Figures and Calculations: Why 20 UAH?

The dispute is based on specific calculations. Trade unions explain that the proposed tariff of 20 hryvnias is calculated based on a 2.4-fold increase in the minimum wage. Since 2018, when tariffs were last reviewed, the minimum wage has increased from 3,720 hryvnias to 8,647 hryvnias in 2026.

However, according to Kyiv City Council data, the economically justified tariff for 2026 should be 64.60 UAH for a metro ride and 44.14 UAH for ground transport. Currently, the ticket price is only 8 hryvnias.

Fare Hike Project and Deadlines

On May 18, the Kyiv City Council published a project to raise tariffs. Experts proposed raising prices to 30 hryvnias for a single ride. Monthly pass options were also considered: up to 1,088 hryvnias for a monthly pass and up to 4,875 hryvnias for a monthly unlimited pass. If the project had been approved, the new prices were supposed to take effect as early as July 15.

It is worth noting that in 2021, the Kyiv City Council already approached the trade unions with a proposal to set the tariff at 18 hryvnias, but the letter was later withdrawn. According to the territorial agreement for 2021–2023, the validity of which has been extended for the period of martial law, the parties are obliged to discuss such changes jointly.

Government Reaction and Next Steps

The Kyiv City Council reported that they are currently considering the trade unions' proposal. The administration noted that the possibility of implementing the initiative is being studied, as well as its impact on the city budget and consequences for municipal transport enterprises. The key factor remains the need to ensure the constant and uninterrupted operation of public transport.

For now, the final decision on the introduction of new tariffs has not been made. Trade unions demand that the city authorities consider their proposals and make a corresponding decision—with justification or a motivated refusal—within 30 calendar days.