MoldovAnn

So the price of the metro (subway) goes up by 4 times starting tomorrow, from 50 kopeks to 2 hrivna. Can you imagine the public outrage of an increase from 50 cents to 2 bucks in, say, New York City? Granted, the price of the metro hasn’t increased in something like 8 years, and given inflation rates of 24% this year alone, clearly a rate increase is in order. But man does it suck to be your average Kyiv worker with a monthly income of about $200 – your monthly commute now costs not $5 (24UAH), but starting tomorrow will cost $20 (96UAH) – that’s an increase from 2.5% of your monthly income to 10%, would you be a little upset?

Frankly, I think Americans would be pitching fits in the streets, if an American public transit system would even dare such a move. In Ukraine, they deflect hysteria by not making available the new passes and tokens – a completely different kind of infuriation (is that even a word?).

Prices of public transportation change tomorrow, 4 November. I tried to buy a new monthly pass last Friday and today – nichevo – they don’t have any. So instead I tried to buy the new 2 hrivna tokens today – nichevo – nada – dream on.

Four million people will need to buy new tokens tomorrow – is this good planning? I am sure I was not alone in wanting to buy a new pass and/or tokens in advance so as to avoid the lines on 4 November. Hah!

The bagel I had for lunch today will NOT make up for the frustration I will face tomorrow morning, standing in line with 4 million commuters to buy the new tokens. I think I’ll work from home, just to avoid the chaos. It’s the whimp’s way out, but wow am I ever grateful that I have the flexibility to do it!