Unified Public Transport Ticket in Ukraine from 2026: What Will Change for Passengers

From January 1, 2026, a single ticket form will be in effect in Ukraine for all types of public transport. Find out what data is now required, how an electronic ticket works, and what a Smart Ticket is

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Since January 1, 2026, a single ticket form for all types of public transport has officially come into force in Ukraine. The relevant decision was approved by the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine and is stipulated by the Order of the Ministry of Development No. 1066, which implements the provisions of the Law of Ukraine No. 3378-IX on the introduction of an electronic ticket.

The new rules apply to all key types of public transport - from city buses to the metro - and are an important step towards a transparent, understandable and digitalized passenger transportation system.

We will tell you about the main changes for passengers in this article.

For which types of transport in Ukraine has a single ticket form been approved?

Unified requirements have been established for city and suburban bus routes, intercity and international bus transportation, as well as for trams, trolleybuses and the metro. For the first time at the regulatory level, all these types of transport are covered by a single approach to ticketing.

It is important that the new rules apply equally to both paper and electronic tickets issued through automated travel accounting systems. Both formats are recognized as equivalent and fully legitimate.

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What must be indicated on a public transport ticket?

From now on, each ticket - regardless of the format - must contain a clear set of mandatory details. In particular, the passenger will be able to see full information about the fare (including benefits, VAT or commissions, if any), the ticket registration number, the date and time of the trip or its validity period.

Special attention is paid to the carrier's data: the ticket must indicate its name, EDRPOU or RNOKPP code, address and contact information. Information about the insurance contract and insurer is also mandatory. If necessary, a QR code can be placed on the ticket, which simplifies verification and confirmation of the trip.

Photo – mindev.gov.ua

Electronic ticket – a full-fledged document

One of the key innovations was the regulation of the status of an electronic ticket. Previously, when paying for travel via bank or transport cards, the passenger actually had only confirmation of the debiting of funds, without a clear document certifying the right to travel.

According to the new requirements, an electronic ticket is issued as a full-fledged digital document with all the mandatory details – similar to a paper one. After payment, the passenger can receive confirmation of the trip on the smartphone screen, in the form of a QR code, via email, mobile application or in a personal electronic account.

Thus, an electronic ticket becomes a clear and legal confirmation of the trip, and not just the fact of payment.

Features of tickets for different routes and types of transport

Suburban routes

A separate baggage receipt is provided for suburban routes in case of luggage transportation.

Intercity buses

For intercity bus transportation, the new rules provide for an expanded amount of information. The ticket must contain information about the route, possible transfers, the place and time of their implementation, as well as the waiting time between flights.

International travel

In international transportation, ticket personalization has been introduced. It is issued for a specific passenger with the name and surname in accordance with the passport document. Transferring such a ticket to another person is prohibited, and information about transfers is mandatory.

Public transport

For the first time, clear requirements for tickets for urban electric transport have been approved at the regulatory level. An electronic ticket in trams, trolleybuses and the metro can be provided via a QR code, mobile application, e-mail or the passenger's personal account.

Insurance information is allowed to be placed on both the front and back of the ticket, which makes it more convenient to use and check.

Photo – mindev.gov.ua

The next stage is a single Smart Ticket in Ukraine

The Ministry of Community and Territorial Development emphasizes that a single ticket form is only a basic, but extremely important stage of the reform. It creates the basis for accounting for passenger flows, route planning and further digitalization of the transport sector.

Earlier, the Ministry of Development and Territorial Development had already approved technical requirements for automated fare accounting systems, which should ensure the interoperability of electronic tickets, in particular for servicing preferential categories of citizens. Taken together, these solutions form the basis for the implementation of a single Smart Ticket and a more transparent public transport system in Ukraine.

The introduction of a single ticket form from 2026 makes the public transport system in Ukraine more transparent, understandable and convenient for passengers, regardless of the type of transportation or ticket format. This also lays the foundation for the full digitalization of the industry and the implementation of a single Smart Ticket in the future.

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We remind you! In Ukraine, the procedure for selling railway tickets is temporarily changing due to adjustments to the train schedule. We have already told you when ticket sales will resume after January 21, what the restrictions are and how it will affect passengers.

Photo – Pixabay.com

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