Kyiv's ground public transport will operate in a new way during alarms (photo: Vitaly Nosach, RBC-Ukraine) Author: Irina Kostenko
From today, March 21, public transport in Kyiv will operate under new rules. This concerns movement during air raids in the capital against the backdrop of enemy attacks.
For more information on what exactly has changed for drivers and passengers, read the RBC-Ukraine article below.
How Kyiv's public transport will operate in a new way during the alarms
The head of the Kyiv City Military Administration (KCMA) Timur Tkachenko announced changes to the rules for public transport in the capital during air raids on Tuesday, March 18.
“We are launching ground public transport during times of alarm,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
The official clarified that from today (Friday, March 21) public transport in Kiev – municipal and private – will operate according to new rules :
- during an air raid, transport stops near shelters (in a safe place – in accordance with traffic regulations – and along the route);
- passengers can leave the cabin if they wish (and go to a safe place);
- drivers report the possibility of further travel along the route;
- After those wishing to disembark have been cleared, the transport continues moving along its route.
The head of the Kyiv City State Administration explained that the corresponding changes will be made to the job descriptions of drivers.
“This is not just a change in the rules – this is a logical and necessary step towards the normal functioning of the city. Kyiv must move! Finally,” Tkachenko concluded.
Tkachenko's post on Facebook (screenshot: facebook.com/timurtkachenko)
Meanwhile, the press service of the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA) noted that the decision to amend the rules for public transport in the capital during air raids was made on March 18 by the Kyiv City Defense Council.
“This concerns both municipal transport of the Kyivpastrans enterprise and private carriers,” the Kyiv City State Administration confirmed.
At the same time, the protocol of the Kiev Defense Council states that the driver also has the right to decide to take shelter during an air raid alarm .
Residents and visitors of the capital were also informed that the Kiev metro will operate for now “in the same mode.” That is, the movement of trains on the ground part of the metro will remain limited during the announcement of an air raid alarm.
“The city government calls on Kyiv residents and visitors to the capital to be attentive and, if possible, to use shelters for their own safety during an air raid,” the Kyiv City State Administration concluded.
Publication of the Kyiv City State Administration press service on Facebook (screenshot: facebook.com/kyivcity.gov.ua)
Let us recall that until this time, Kyiv remained the only city in Ukraine where public transport was stopped during air raid alarms.
Because of this, there was often a traffic jam on the roads, and people got “stuck” and couldn't get where they needed to go. It was especially difficult for Kyiv residents and visitors to the capital to get from the right to the left bank and vice versa, because the metro is prohibited from using ground stations.
On March 12, the Kyiv City State Administration already spoke about a draft resolution regarding possible changes in the operation of public transport in the capital during air raids. However, it was then sent back for revision.
Read also what is known about the traffic conditions for cars on the Southern Bridge in Kyiv.
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