They will then pass overflowing, smelly trash bins in their yard because the municipal garbage collectors don’t come around often enough. Walking on the crumbling pavement, careful not to twist their ankles or trip, they arrive at a bus stop. Next they cram into outdated marshrutka minibuses that usually run hazardously over capacity, while standing on one leg pressed against sweating passengers.
Those who live and work in the city center have the other challenge of getting there since most sidewalks are often lined with cars due to the lack of parking spaces.
Anybody wishing to lose their faith in humanity simply needs to look at online photos of parked cars in Kyiv parks. If there is a spot on the pavement, it will be used for parking. Only a patch of grass or a flowerbed free? They will invariably be used, too. A playground? Not a problem. A tree? If it’s small enough to run it over, consider it done. A crosswalk or handicap parking space? Who cares, as long as there is enough space for one’s over-sized sports utility vehicle.
In many countries, governments are motivating people to switch to public transport by making it more comfortable, accessible and efficient. Vehicle access to the city center is limited through fees charged to get in. They build bicycle paths and start bicycle sharing programs that allow people to rent a bike for short urban trips. In Scandinavia, these programs have long widely used, but are now spreading all over the world, from Chicago to Moscow.
But in Ukraine, these quality of life elements are missing, and barely part of the public debate to enact meaningful policies.
Official complaints and demands do work. Many persistent pensioners and energetic activists have proven this. It’s time the rest of Ukraine takes a stand, too.
See something wrong or not working? Call your city administration and file a complaint. Go to your municipal and utility service provider and leave a complaint there. Buzz your district administration and demand action. You may not change the entire city in a day, but you can make that morning commute to work a little more comfortable for yourself and those around you, one patched pothole or mended elevator track at a time.
