You're reading: Popov says Kyiv public transport is unprofitable, and fares could rise

Municipal enterprises Kyivpastrans and Kyiv Metropolitan annually incur losses of over Hr 300 million each, the Web site of the Segodnya newspaper reported on Tuesday, referring to Head of Kyiv City State Administration Oleksandr Popov.

“We have a very difficult situation with public transport, since it indeed operates at a loss. And we annually allocate over Hr 300 million in subventions for Kyivpastrans to pay salaries. This year the losses of the subway will total nearly Hr 300 million as well,” he said.

Moreover, the official said price rises for fares on the public transport of Kyiv were possible, but that it would take a month-and-a-half at least to resolve the issue, and a decision could be taken no sooner than in autumn.

“We can talk about changes in prices, while not transferring to the new payment system. I mean that Kyiv citizens who buy long-term travel cards, for example for a year, a year-and-a-half, or at least for a month, it will be much cheaper than to take one ticket for one day. In such way we’ll protect Kyiv citizens, if we have to hike prices,” Popov said.

Besides, according to him, if the prices for fares rise, the cost for socially vulnerable categories of the public won’t change.