The City Council of Kropyvnytskyi explained the fare increase as a result of rising fuel prices, spare parts costs, and an increase in the minimum wage. Despite the changes in prices, officials have promised that the quality of public transportation services will improve.
Key promised improvements:
Private carriers (in minibuses) are now required to adhere to stricter schedules, including ensuring evening routes from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM with departures every 15–30 minutes. Additionally, these updated schedules will be clearly displayed in all vehicles, and city inspectors will be tasked with monitoring their compliance.
The city also plans to introduce 10 new buses, each capable of carrying up to 180 passengers, on high-demand routes. These buses are also intended to replace trolleybuses during power outages, enhancing reliability.
Reports indicate that with the fare increase, many passengers hope for less cramped conditions in minibuses, where standing shoulder to shoulder will no longer feel like an everyday routine.
Many passengers want to see if the evening routes will indeed follow the new schedule, as previous services often ceased after 6:00 PM, leaving passengers in difficult situations.
The fare increase has been met with mixed reactions, with the public displaying cautious optimism regarding the promised improvements. However, it remains to be seen whether these improvements will be realized in practice.