Zelensky's free Kyiv transit plan: Who pays and what it really costs

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed making Kyiv's public buses, trolleybuses, and trams free of charge, prompting questions about the initiative's true cost and who will ultimately pay for it. The president tasked Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky with presenting a program for free ground transport and a sufficient bus reserve for the capital, citing potential metro disruptions and challenges with bridges across the Dnipro River. Experts note the financial impact varies widely, from limited free routes to the entire system, with the state budget bearing the expense. Investment banker Serhiy Fursa highlighted uncertainty over the program's scope, suggesting it could range from symbolic "gifts from Zelensky" buses on select routes to fully free transit across Kyiv, which would involve significantly larger budget allocations.