Is it possible to transfer with a ticket purchased before April 11?
In Lviv, the opportunity for free transfers in public transport has resumed for passengers who pay for their rides through the LeoCard app or with a transport card.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing the Lviv City Council.
Also read: Transport prices are rising: where in Ukraine have prices already increased and how much will the fare cost
Main points:
- Return of the service: Free transfers are again available in Lviv after a month-long break due to the fuel crisis.
- Timing: Passengers can transfer between buses, trams, and trolleybuses for free within 40 minutes.
- Restrictions: The feature is only available for LeoCard holders (card or app). Cash and bank cards are not supported.
- Mechanics: Money for the transfer is initially reserved and returned to the balance the next day.
- Important: Tickets purchased in the app from March 11 to April 11 do not grant the right to free transfers.
How transfers work after restoration
After the service was restored, the principle remained unchanged: the passenger pays for one trip and can transfer for free between buses, trams, and trolleybuses within 40 minutes.
The number of transfers is unlimited. The main condition is to validate the trip in the new transport each time within this time frame.
The city council notes that this system allows for cost savings and more convenient route planning.
What passengers need to know
After the service was restored, several important rules apply.
For LeoCard app users:
- tickets purchased from March 11 to April 11 do not become transferable;
- after activation, they are valid only for one trip to the final stop.
Therefore, passengers who bought tickets “in advance” should take this into account.
For LeoCard users:
- there must be enough funds in the account for each transfer;
- the system temporarily reserves funds for each validation;
- after processing the data, all trips within 40 minutes are counted as one, and the money is returned.
The final balance is displayed the next day.
Why transfers were temporarily canceled
Free transfers were not operational from March 11 to April 11. This was due to the rapid rise in fuel prices.
During this period, passengers paid for each trip separately, which allowed carriers to partially compensate for costs and ensure stable transport operation without raising fares.
It should be noted that free transfers are available only for LeoCard users and do not apply when paying with cash or a bank card. Additionally, each trip must be validated – otherwise, it will be considered unpaid, which could lead to a fine.
The free transfer system in Lviv has been operational since July 2024 for transport card users, and since December – for passengers using the LeoCard app.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported on the potential increase in fare prices in Lviv. The city plans to moderately raise transport tariffs (depending on the payment method), but a sharp increase to 42 hryvnias was not supported – a final decision is yet to be made by the city authorities.
Fare prices for public transport may also increase in Kyiv. The capital’s authorities are preparing to raise the cost of travel for the first time since 2018 due to rising expenses (fuel, electricity, salaries) and large budget subsidies, but a final decision has not yet been made.
