The difference between what we pay and how much the city spends has reached a record high:
| Indicator | Value |
| Current fare for a passenger | 8,00 UAH |
| Cost price (Kyiv State Administration data) | 64,53 UAH |
| Cost of land transport | 37,57 UAH |
| Preliminary cost (metro data) | ~36,90 UAH |
| Estimated amount of the city subsidy | ~56,00 UAH (per trip) |
Why has the number increased so dramatically?
Experts, including Dmitry Bespalov, point out that such a jump (almost twofold) is unlikely to be due solely to electricity prices or salaries. The main reason lies in investment component:
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Technical development program: On March 30, 2026, Vitaliy Klitschko signed a metro development program for 9,9 billion UAH.
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Mathematical manipulation: The calculation methodology allows for the inclusion of planned investments in the cost price. Despite the fact that the budget actually includes only 2,1 billion UAH, all 10 billion could have been contributed to the formula.
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Effect on paper: Including large-scale construction and renovation plans automatically “inflates” the cost, even if these funds have not yet been spent.
Main risks
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Reasons for price increase: The disclosure of such high costs is often the first step towards an official announcement of a tariff increase.
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Social impact: Although the metro transports many beneficiaries, for the rest of Kyiv residents (in particular IDPs and low-income workers), a significant price increase will become a heavy financial burden.
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Context of 2026: Against the backdrop of the increase in the price of minibuses to UAH 20 and the increase in prices for suburban trains, the metro remains the last "bastion" of low prices and a critical infrastructure facility that operates during emergencies.
Summary
The number in 64 hryvnias looks more like political and economic justification, than as the net cost of operating the cars and tracks. This is a signal that the city can no longer (or does not want to) cover such a large gap from the budget, and is preparing residents for a change in the price tag at the turnstiles.
