Metro of Dnipropetrovsk

The Dnipro Metro (Dnipropetrovsk Metro)

The city of Dnipro, which was known as Dnipropetrovsk until 2016, is located on the southeast of Ukraine, on the edge of the Dnieper River. In terms of population, Dnipro has a little over one million inhabitants, making it the fourth most populated city on the country. This is one of the most important cities on the country since it has a strong weapon industry, as well as having factories where heavy machinery is manufactured.

Important political figures of Ukraine were born in this city, which was founded on 1787, when Empress Catherine the Great decided to inaugurate it. Since then, Dnipro has witnessed the country´s history, including events such as being occupied by Nazis on 1941, and the fall of Soviet communism on the 90s.

However, one of the last construction projects that the extinct URSS had was the construction of the Dnipro Metro.

Previous research for the project took place on 1979. This research had the purpose of preparing a public transportation system by the time that the city had over 1 million inhabitants. This was the condition of the Soviet Regime to give the necessary funds for a project of this kind.

The construction officially began on February 20th, 1981, and the metro was originally scheduled to be inaugurated on 1991. However, with the fall of the URSS on that year, the opening took place on 1995 instead. The system was built by the Soviet Union, but it was opened after its fall.

Lines and stations

The Dnipro Metro is quite small. It is comprised of a single operational line, with a length of just 7.1 kilometers. On this route, there are six stations built. They are located from the Vokzalna stop, which is close to the city´s train station on the east, to Pokrovska, located on the western part of the city.

Stations

• Vokzalna: It is located on the east of the city, just below Plaza Vokzalna, which is the origin of the station´s name, and vary close to Dnipro´s Train Station. It has been operational since December 29th, 1995.
• Metrobudivnykiv: Opened on December 29th, 1995, this station´s name comes from a memorial done in honor of the workers that made this building. It has three exits, all of which disembark at Serhiy Nigoyan Avenue and Ivan Mazepa Avenue.
• Metalurhiv: The name of this station is a reference to the steel workers of the city, many of which worked in a metal factory located a few meters away from the station. It was inaugurated on December 29th, 1995. Its exits give access to Serhiy Nigoyan Avenue, near the Organ Music Center.
• Zavodska: Just like the previous stations, it dates back from December 29th, 1995. Its name was chosen as a reference to all the nearby factories. The stop´s exits disembark at Mayakovskoho Street.
• Prospekt Svobody: The station is located on Novokodatska Plaza, on the Prospect Svobody neighborhood. Its name can be translated as Freedom Avenue. It has been operational since 1995.
• Pokrovska: It is located on the vicinity of the neighborhoods of Chervonyi Kamin and Pokrovsky, right between the streets of Yuria Kondratuka and Velyka Diivska. This is the western terminal of the network and, just like the other stations, it was opened on 1995.

Schedule

Since the Dnipro Metro is a small system, it is operational from 5:30 a.m. to 11:00 at night. This the same schedule from Monday to Sunday, that is, all week long.

The service tends to be available uninterruptedly, unless the system undergoes maintenance, which is rare. Due to its small size, the complete journey from end to end lasts only between 12 and 15 minutes.

The train frequency could vary slightly during peak hours on weekdays. During peak hours, the trains reach the platforms with a frequency of 7 minutes. During off-peak hours, as well as during weekends, the users will have to wait an average of 20 minutes per train.

Fares

The Dnipro Metro fare system is quite simple, which could partly due to the fact that this is a small metro network. The price of a ride on the trains is of 4 hryvnias (0.15 USD), which must be paid via a neon green token that can be acquired on the station´s ticket booths.

However, there is another way to pay for a ride on the metro for passengers that frequently use the Dnipro public transportation. This alternative consists of monthly passes, which allow you to have unlimited rides on all the tramway, trolleybus, and metro lines of the city. These come in two versions:

• Civil Pass: This pass allows you to travel on the entire Dnipro public transportation network during a whole month unlimitedly. Its price is of 440 hryvnias (15.98 USD), and it is available for the general public.
• Student Pass: Just as its name implies, this pass is exclusively for elementary and secondary school students that live in Dnipro. It allows you to have a 50% discount in your journeys, so you will only have to pay 220 hryvnias (7.99 USD) to use all of the city´s public transportation services for a whole month. However, it is not valid on weekends, nor on school holidays.

Connections

Although small, the Dnipro Metro network is connected with a lot of means of public transportation, such as tramways and trolleybus lines. Below, the connections available at each station will be shown:

• Vokzalna: It has a connection with the tramways from lines 1, 11, 14 and 15. It also has a connection with the trolleybuses from line B.
• Metrobudivnykiv: It has a connection with the tramways from lines 5 and 14. It also has a connection with the trolleybuses from line number 4.
• Metalurhiv: It has a connection with the tramways from lines 5 and 14. It also has a connection with the trolleybuses from line number 4.
• Zavodska: It has a connection with the tramways from lines 5 and 14.
• Prospekt Svobody: It has a connection with the tramways from line number 18.
• Pokrovska: It does not have any nearby connections.

Connection to the airport

The Dnipro Metro does not have a station that disembarks at the Dnipro International Airport. However, there is a way to go to the airport via a bus line that departs from Vokzalna station.

The Dnipro Metro (Dnipropetrovsk Metro)

Once you reach said stop, you will have to exit the underground stations and wait on the closest bus stop for the bus number 109 from the Stari Kodaky line. After one of the buses arrives, board the vehicle and stay there until you reach the Aeroport stop. Between the Metro station and the airport there are 39 stations.

The journey lasts a little more than an hour since it is not an express line. It is a line that stops at many neighborhoods on the city. The price is of 7 Hryvnias (0.25 USD), and you could pay it with your Civil Pass or Student Pass if you wish.

Although it is a cheaper option, there are some limitations that will apply regarding your luggage. Both subways and buses have restrictions regarding the number of suitcases that you can bring with you. Therefore, if you can´t board the buses nor trains due to the luggage restriction, you can use the taxi lines or the rent-a-car services outside the airport.

Future expansions

Currently, there are three new stations under construction that will expand the network from Vokzalna station, which is very close to Dnipro´s Railway Central station, to the downtown area.

The first station would be Teatralna, located close the Performing Arts and Ballet Theater. The other two stations will be Tsentralna and Muzeina, both of which will be close to the History Museum.

As a fun fact, the construction was halted on the year 2009 due to lack of budget, and was later resumed on 2011. Some argue that the budget cut was caused by the fact that the city was not chosen to host the UEFA Europe League on the year 2012.

Later, on 2014, President Petro Poroshenko signed an agreement to give the needed funds to complete the construction and add six additional stations, adding up a total of 9 stations. According to the data available back then, the project would be finished by the year 2021, adding 11.8 kilometers of railway to the current network.

Fun facts

• The number of users that travel on the Dnipro Metro has been lower and lower ever since the metro service started operations. This number decreases year after year. Back in 1995, when it was first opened, the metro transported 18 million passengers during its first year. However, by 2013, the metro barely transported 7 million passengers.
• During its initial years, the system´s trains were comprised of five wagons each. However, since the demand was decreased, the current trains are only comprised of three wagons.
• All of the system´s stations are decorated in a unique way, which makes every station different from each other.
• The Dnipro Metro has its own museum, which is located on Kurchatov Street. There, you will find documents, photo galleries, and other little details about the system.
• The metro stations lie 70 meters below ground level due to the fact that they also work as a shelter against nuclear warheads. This was common for many metro stations built on the extinct Soviet Union.

Rules

• The users cannot enter the metro´s facilities if they are under the influence of alcohol or psychotropic substances. They cannot enter the facilities either if they have clothing that smell bad.
• You cannot block the way to other passengers nor the trains while you remain on the stations.
• You cannot sit on the station´s stairs, nor on the platforms´ floor.
• The passengers are not allowed to run on the escalators, nor on the stations´ platforms.
• You cannot use the escalators that are out of order, nor attempt to remove the security barriers that block the access to said spaces.
• You are not allowed to litter the trains´ tracks.
• Access to the facilities that are only for the metro service´s personnel is prohibited to the general public.
• You cannot, under any circumstance, have access to the trains´ tracks. If you have lost any valuable item on the tracks, wait for the metro staff to help you.
• Do not attempt to open the trains´ doors when the trains are moving. Also, do not block the doors while they are closing.
• Playing musical instruments on the stations and trains of the system is not allowed. Also, you cannot play music via speakers.
• Do not use any of the security equipment on the trains if you do not have any good reason to do so.
• You cannot carry objects that may pose a threat to other passengers.
• You will need to ask for authorization if you want to take pictures or video on the metro´s facilities.
• Using the metro´s facilities for commercial purposes, advertisement, or any other similar activity is prohibited.
• The users are not allowed to beg on the metro´s facilities.
• Smoking on the system´s facilities is not allowed.
• You cannot use a Student Pass if you are not a student.
• Luggage of large size is only allowed up to a maximum length of 220 cm.
• You cannot bring with flammable materials nor explosive materials.
• You cannot enter with animals of any kind on the stations.
• You cannot bring sharp objects without their respective sheath or case.

Touristic attractions

If you travel to Dnipro, you cannot miss Taras Shevchenko Park, which is located to the west of the city. It is a stunning space where you will find many rides and other ways to entertain yourself.

The place is comprised of two sections. On the first section, you will find the Student´s Old Palace, located on the roundabout of the place. Meanwhile, on the second section, you will be able to access a beautiful zoo.

You could also swim on the river that crosses the park during summer. You cannot do this during the rest of the year since it would be too cold to do it. Then, to finish your tour, you could go to the Shevchenko Monument, where the sunsets are so beautiful that they deserve to be on the best post stamps of the city.

To reach this place, you will have to exit Pokrovska Station and take a bus from line 141. The journey will last around 50 minutes. You will have to disembark on the Stari Shliakh St. stop.

Another emblematic place on the city is Dnipro´s Dmytro Yavornytsky National Museum of History. Opened on 1848, this is the oldest museum of the city, where 283 thousand items that come from the Paleolithic era to World War II lie.

This place stores relics from most of Dnipro´s history, with a special section dedicated to Cossacks antiques. To reach it, travelers should disembark on Vokzalna station, walk 100 meters towards the Dmytra Yavornytskoho Avenue tramway station, board a vehicle from line 101A, and, finally, disembark on the Istorychnyi Muzei stop. In front of that station, you will find the museum.