Kyiv lacks drivers for free public transport, Klitschko tells Zelensky

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko on Monday, November 9, responded to President Volodymyr Zelensky's initiative for free public transport and a sufficient bus reserve in the capital, stating the city lacks drivers. Klitschko said Kyiv has buses but no drivers, questioning if police will catch them like electricians. He noted 129 routes operate with 418 buses and 685 drivers, while Kyivpastrans could add 25 buses if 50 more drivers were available. The mayor added that replacing the metro would require up to 1,020 buses, but ground transport cannot match metro regularity. He also claimed the government owes Kyiv over 8 billion hryvnias in subsidies for free rides for eligible passengers over 11 years.