Local buses and waste collection concessions: residents of Velyka Korenyha appeal to the mayor

Municipal buses. Photo: Mykolaivpastrans

Residents of Velyka Korenyha are collecting signatures for petitions addressed to Mykolaiv’s mayor, Oleksandr Sienkevych. They are complaining about transport issues, in particular the lack of free travel for those entitled to concessions, and also emphasise that the nearby municipal landfill is affecting people’s health. They are therefore asking for the concessions on waste collection to be retained.

The relevant petitions have been published in the «Velyka Korenyha Neighbourhood» group.

The first appeal concerns the unsatisfactory transport service to the remote neighbourhood. Residents write that municipal transport to Velyka Korenyha has still not been launched.

«As a result, transport conditions for passengers in Korenyha have not only failed to improve, but have significantly deteriorated. As city residents, we have the same rights to transport services as other city dwellers,» the residents wrote.

People also complain that the transport is dirty and uncomfortable: there is not enough space, not to mention compliance with accessibility standards.

«It’s impossible even for a young, healthy person to travel in it: the interior is dirty, the seats are filthy and wobbly, arranged in such a way that only someone no taller than 1 metre 60 centimetres can fit in comfortably. There is no question of space for pushchairs or wheelchairs. The aisles between the seats are designed for a single adult. Getting past each other when exiting without injuring yourself is a major challenge,» noted residents of Velyka Korenyha.

Residents are asking for municipal transport to be introduced to the neighbourhood, as without it, those entitled to concessions cannot exercise their right to free travel and have no alternative, unlike city residents.

Appeal from residents of Velyka Korenyha regarding transport. Photo from the Velyka Korenyha Neighbourhood group

In addition, residents are asking for rubbish collection to remain subsidised for them — funded by the budget — to the landfill site of the municipal enterprise Mykolaivkomtrans. The appeal states that the company intends to introduce a subscription scheme for residents of Velyka Korenyha.

«We would like to remind you that the removal of solid household waste from Velyka Korenyha at the expense of the budget is at least some form of compensation for the danger posed by the deterioration of living conditions near the municipal solid waste landfill. It is precisely because of the municipal landfill, located 870 metres from Velyka Korenyha, that we have experienced first-hand the main dangers of such a neighbourhood,» the residents noted.

They write of the constant stench from the landfill, particularly in summer, soil and water pollution caused by decomposing waste, and fires at the landfill site, which have negative consequences for residents’ health. Residents also note that the rubbish at the landfill is sorted by anti-social individuals without documents, who have settled in the Velyka Korenyha area, disrupt public order and lead an immoral lifestyle.

As the municipal landfill cannot be closed, yet the consequences of its operation are evident, residents are asking for waste collection from Velyka Korenyha to the landfill to continue at public expense.

Petition regarding the solid waste landfill. Photo by the Velyka Korenyha Neighbourhood Group

Appeal regarding the solid waste landfill. Photo by the Velyka Korenyha Neighbourhood Group

In a comment to NikVesti, Andrii Vetsalo, head of the municipal enterprise Mykolaivkomtrans, confirmed that the decision to fund waste collection from the budget has been in place since 2011. However, he noted that according to the State Building Standards (DBN), the landfill is located 870 metres from Velyka Korenyha, so there is no violation of residents’ rights.

At the same time, Andrii Vetsalo noted that the issue of a subscription scheme is under discussion, but no final decision has been made. In any case, the decision must be taken by the executive committee.

According to the head of the municipal enterprise Mykolaivkomtrans, there must be social justice for all residents regarding payment for solid waste collection.

«This was a political decision taken by Mayor Volodymyr Chaika (who led the city from 2000 to 2013, — note), when concessions were granted to the residents of Korenikha... There must be social justice. Either everyone pays for waste collection, or no one does,» noted Andrii Vetsalo.

Regarding fires at the landfill, the head of the municipal enterprise said that they do occur, but, according to him, they are quickly extinguished.

«There were no orders or fines from the State Emergency Service. This is a high-risk facility. We have a fire brigade,» added Andrii Vetsalo.

As a reminder, in August 2025, Mykolaiv Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych announced that the authorities planned to launch a new bus route to the Velyka Korenyha neighbourhood. At the time, the mayor also mentioned providing subsidised travel for residents.

However, buses to the neighbourhood were not launched. In September 2025, the municipal enterprise Mykolaivpastrans noted that there was a need for daily transport of schoolchildren, which the company handles under a contract with the education department.