They are planning to make public bus rides in Mykolaiv free of charge for schoolchildren

Leased buses for Mykolaiv, May 2019, archival photo NikVesti

It is planned to make public bus rides in Mykolaiv free for schoolchildren. For this, they will only need to provide a valid student card.

The relevant project of the decision was published on October 2 on the website of the Mykolaiv City Council, they write NikVesti.

If this decision is adopted, schoolchildren will have free travel only during the period of martial law in Ukraine.

«For the purpose of social protection of children and adolescents and during the period of martial law in Ukraine, to establish for school-aged children, with a valid student ticket, free bus travel on city routes,» the message reads.

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Read also the article NikVesti «Public transport of Mykolaiv: recovery thanks to international support».

Shortage of drivers in Mykolaiv

Almost a year ago, in November 2023, Norway handed over passenger buses to Mykolaiv, each of which can accommodate almost 100 people. It was planned that buses would run to the Korabelny district, but the city had difficulties putting new buses into operation due to an insufficient number of drivers.

The problem with the lack of drivers also arose in neighboring Odesa. There are not enough people to work on the buses, which were donated by the sister city of Regensburg. Of the required 18 drivers, there are only seven.

Later, Oleh Kuksa, Deputy Head of the Department of Transport Complex, Communications and Telecommunications of the Mykolaiv City Council, stated that for 2022-2024, the number of public transport in Mykolaiv has decreased from 700 to 387. And the lack of drivers is the main problem for the efficient operation of public transport in Mykolaiv.

Residents of remote areas of Mykolaiv also complained about the problem with public transport in remote areas of the city. Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych replied that men do not want to go to work as drivers because of mobilization.

In May, the mayor also announced that two fewer buses will run on the routes due to the mobilization.

At the same time, the head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, Vitalii Kim, said that women began to master new professions to meet the existing demand for critical infrastructure facilities and utility companies.