The key facts

  • The shortage of public transport workers in Kyiv reaches 40% — there are more buses than drivers
  • The city also lacks mechanics, fitters and electricians; women are being trained as drivers, but the shortage persists
  • Power supply problems have lasted for several days: emergency outages were introduced and electric transport was halted

Staff shortage in Kyiv's public transport

The shortage of public transport workers in Kyiv reaches 40% — the city has more buses than drivers. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said this in an interview with Hromadske. Novyny (the report is cited by Gazeta.Ru). According to him, in addition to drivers, the city lacks mechanics, fitters and electricians, and in some situations one person does the work of two. The mayor noted that women are currently being trained as bus drivers, but even this does not eliminate the staff shortage.

Transport against the backdrop of energy problems

The statement about the staff shortage came amid ongoing power outages in Kyiv. Earlier, according to the same outlet, Klitschko described the city's electricity supply situation as extremely difficult and reported damage to facilities of the Kyiv regional energy hub. On Monday, emergency power outages were introduced in Kyiv and Kyiv region: electric transport stopped running due to the lack of voltage, and water supply problems arose in four districts of the capital. Air raid alerts were declared several times in the city overnight and on the morning of November 2, with explosions reported in the suburbs. The power supply problems had already lasted for several days — earlier, the Troieshchyna residential districtremained almost completely de-energized. The outlet also noted that Kyiv residents had previously expressed dissatisfaction with the city's mayor.