"The city is losing funds while people wait at glass bus stops," says the head of KMVA on revising transport rules during alerts.

When an air raid alert is declared in Kyiv, ground public transport comes to a halt – this rule has been in effect since August 1, 2022. The metro system also operates under restrictions, as two of its lines run through bridges.

Since then, nearly 1,000 air raid alerts have sounded in the capital, some lasting for hours.

Finally, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Timur Tkachенко, plans to bring this issue to the discussion of the Capital Defense Council during the upcoming meeting. Soon, we will see a new protocol for the operation of buses, trolleybuses, and trams during missile threats.

What prompted this decision now, and what changes can residents expect – "Telegraph" found out.

"Current rules are a measured and necessary measure"

As Timur Tkachенко, the head of the KMVA, stated in a comment to "Telegraph", the current decision to halt ground transport during air threats was made collectively by the Capital Defense Council. There were objective circumstances and an understanding of the risks.

— This is a considered position. Such precautionary measures for the capital can be understood for at least two reasons. The first – Kyiv remains a priority target for the enemy. We observe almost daily mass attacks by Shaheds. The second – the capital has the most complex transport connection system and the highest transport load, — he explains.

Currently, according to him, the city is indeed considering revising the restrictions.

— At the very least, for the safety of Kyiv residents, an air defense system has been built up over the years of the full-scale invasion. We are also looking at our own experience and the experience of other cities. In 2022, this vision did not exist, — says Tkachенко.

Most cities continue movement under any circumstances

It is worth noting that most regional centers in Ukraine do not stop public transport during alerts, even in cities like Chernihiv and Sumy, located near the border with the Russian Federation, or in Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia, close to combat zones. Transport operates steadily in Odesa and Poltava as well.

Different formats have been tested in Kryvyi Rih, where since the beginning of the invasion, public transport began to stop during alerts, resuming movement only after they were over.

— I remember how unhappy people were, many were late for work, and alerts lasted for hours, — says a resident of the city in a conversation with "Telegraph".

However, since May 7, 2022, this rule was canceled. Corresponding orders were created at city public transport enterprises.

As a result, Kryvyi Rih's transport operates without forced stops even during air danger alerts. At public transport stops, passengers are advised to leave the vehicle and proceed to the nearest shelter.

"Currently, Kyiv is losing funds, while passengers wait out alerts mostly outdoors"

Any traffic jams, connection disruptions, schedule violations mean time losses, and thus – financial losses, says Timur Tkachенко in a comment to "Telegraph".

— No one can provide an exact assessment, as the city has changed significantly over the past three years. However, if we consider both simple delays and late arrivals, these are substantial losses for both the budget and the city’s economy, — he notes.

Moreover, according to him, the city military administration takes into account that "after transport stops, citizens do not exactly find themselves in safe places."

— They often remain waiting for the end of the alert at glass bus stops, which is dangerous. Therefore, the issue should be viewed comprehensively, — explains Tkachенко.

Ultimately, in cities where it is not possible to establish proper shelters within 100 meters, ground anti-fragmentation shelters are being set up. Despite their simplicity, they can save lives even in the event of a direct hit.

Reinforced concrete structures are placed at busy transport interchanges so that people traveling to work or errands can take cover during alerts. They come in various types and are designed for different numbers of individuals.

It is known that in June 2023, the Kyiv authorities also planned to acquire such modular shelters, with the city intending to allocate about 300 million hryvnias for this purpose. However, the fate of the project remains unknown.

In any case, transport is at risk of debris

As noted by KP "Kyivpastrans" in a comment for "Telegraph", revenue losses from halting transport during air alerts are offset by reduced expenses for passenger transport, such as fuel, electricity, tires, and depreciation of rolling stock.

However, during the full-scale invasion, more than 20 passenger transport vehicles in Kyiv sustained damage.

It is still unclear how safety indicators will change if public transport continues to operate during air alerts. However, KP "Kyivpastrans" emphasizes that it is guided by current regulatory legal documents, including decisions made by the Kyiv Defense Council.

In turn, KMVA head Timur Tkachенко noted in a comment to "Telegraph" that it is too early to discuss precise protocols for public transport operations.

— I advocate for thoughtful decisions. We must see the full picture, understand the risks and consequences. We are awaiting proposals from relevant agencies, the State Emergency Service, and the military. The Kyiv Defense Council will make a decision collectively after serious discussion, taking various factors into account. And not based on someone’s subjective vision, but on a professional assessment, — he concluded.