Eleven cities have called on the central government to adopt laws regulating the process of introduction of electronic tickets on public transport.

"On behalf of 11 mayors, I submit to the minister of infrastructure a request to support draft laws regulating the introduction of electronic tickets. This request is from the mayors of the cities Dnipro, Vinnytsia, Lviv, Cherkasy, Lutsk, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Zhytomyr," Dnipro’s Mayor Borys Filatov said at a press briefing on October 6, Ministry of Infrastructure announced. According to him, these draft laws will enable local authorities to regulate not only tariff formation transparently, but also the issue of preferential transportation.

Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelian supports this initiative. "Electronic tickets will bring transportation of passengers closer to European standards. This practice is effective in many cities in Europe and around the world, and it has fully justified itself. Introduction of electronic tickets provides an opportunity for cities to better regulate traffic flows, combat illegal carriers, increase revenues into local budgets by reducing cash payments in public transport, and ensure the comfort and convenience of passengers," Omelian said.

He cited as an example Batumi, where city budget grew from transport services increased by 60% after the introduction of electronic tickets. These funds were used for development of the city’s road infrastructure. The minister also said that the Ukrzaliznytsia public railway company could also introduce electronic tickets on suburban routes.

Yanyka Meryl, the acting deputy mayor of Dnipro and an advisor to the minister of infrastructure, said that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development estimates that introduction of electronic tickets would cost EUR 10 million. "The amount of funding will depend on how large the city is. The approximate cost is EUR 10-15 million. However, there are various options. For example, international financial institutions, particularly the EBRD, are ready to support this project," she said.

According to Omelian, draft laws on introduction of electronic tickets will be submitted to the parliament and considered during Infrastructure Day.