From cheapest in the world to most expensive in the nation

While you all may have noted Tuesday, the 4th of November as a deciding day in the history of our nation - we in Kiev had other reasons to pause.

Tuesday, the 4th of November 2008 was the day that Kiev metro prices rose by 400%.

No longer will a continuous ride cost a mere 50 kopek (10 cents - and the same price it was when it first opened in 1960 - however - it then dropped (communism - to 5 kopeks) - now it will cost you 2 griven.

The morning the raise took effect, the metro wagons were littered with flyers that said "Kiev Metro - The most expensive in Ukraine" to protest the mayoral decision to raise metro prices.

I couldn't help but laugh. The Kiev metro had long been recorded as the cheapest in the world - and the fact that it is now the most expensive in the nation - a nation that has only 2 other small metro lines in cities where salaries and commuter traffic are also less - shouldn't be shameful or used as a reprimand. Over 2 million people use the metro system here - and it is built for 1 million people. Cars are increasing in the city by the hundreds and roads can't contain it. The metro needs to be expanded - but there isn't money to do it - in fact even at 2 griven per passenger the metro will still be running at a deficit that will need to be made up by selling advertising space. Moreover - the mayor - newly re-elected and desirous of please the public arranged it so that you could by a 1 year metro card for 365 UAH - which means that if you live and work in Kiev - riding the metro twice each day - you'll pay . . . that's right 50 kopek per ride. AND - the cost of the metro is shouldered by the working class because children, students, pensioners, and disabled all get ride either for free or at a reduced cost.

If you ask me - I say bravo for the increase - esp if it means that they finish the orange and the purple lines and let me travel around Kiev with traffic - free ease. And if you ask me again - I think you should add a few more stops to those two lines and connect them across the river with an interchange at Vidibichy and the new Dymiska station at the bus station.