Zelensky proposed introducing free public transport in Kyiv amid Russian strikes

Volodymyr Zelensky tasked to consider free travel in Kyiv in light of Russia’s strikes on bridges and the energy sector. This was reported by the President of Ukraine in his Telegram channel.

- He instructed the Prime Minister to present a program of free travel in the city’s ground transport and sufficient bus reserve for Kyiv. Thank you for concrete proposals, he wrote.

The president noted that it is important for the government to prepare concrete measures to support uninterrupted and reliably accessible operation of the city’s ground transport in the capital under conditions of disruptions to the metro and challenges with bridges across the Dnieper.

Zelensky said that the prime minister, the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, and the interior minister presented options for backup transport schemes for the capital. The necessary number of vehicles is being worked out, with traffic reorganization in defined parts of Kyiv.

Almost simultaneously with the president’s announcement, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced partial restoration of traffic on the Northern Bridge. According to him, scientists conducted a technical inspection of the structure and allowed traffic to resume with temporary restrictions.

Traffic will be organized: from the left to the right bank — single lane, exclusively for passenger transport. From the right to the left bank — two lanes for passenger transport and passenger cars.

Experts are also working on introducing reversible traffic in the near future on the Paton Bridge to increase its throughput.

Russia regularly attacks bridges in Kyiv, which greatly complicates travel between the left and right banks of the capital, and due to strikes on the energy sector there are difficulties with metro operation, and ground electric transport has stopped.

Due to Russia’s strikes on bridges in Kyiv, pontoon crossings are being prepared.