Metro of Kryvyi Rih

Kryvyi Rih Metrotram

This partially underground system consists of 3 lines and 15 stations. Total track length is 18.7 km including a 6.8 km underground section. KP Shvydkisnyi Tramvai, a local municipal company, operates the system. Every day, around 45,340 passengers travel by these metrotrams.

Historical Background

The Kryvyi Rih Metrotram system started operation as an intermediate arrangement before establishing a full metro system in the city. The city was massively destroyed during World War II and needed complete reconstruction including modern and convenient modes of public transport. The planning started as early as in 1960 but it took almost 15 years to begin the construction.

A completely separate metrotram route was built at ground level except for the city center area. The construction was done in a manner that it could be later easily converted it into a full-service metro. The system started revenue service on December 26, 1986. After multiple extensions, it achieved its current track length on May 25, 2012.

Hours of Operation

The metrotram system operates from 6 AM to midnight. Each station has large display boards which show the exact time and frequency of metrotrams at that stop. Metrotrams run, on average every 10-15 minutes, more frequently during rush hours.

Lines and Stations

The metrotrams stops are like regular stations and have their own soviet-style architecture monuments and serving neighborhoods. Of the 15 stations, 4 are underground. Vovnopriadilna station is almost complete but not operating currently. The section between Prospekt Metalurhiv and Imeni Hutovskoho stations are covered by all the three routes.

Trams run on routes Kiltseva-Zarichna, Kiltseva-Maidan Pratsi and Zarichna-Kiltse KMK. KTM-11/11T and Tatra T3 cars are used as rolling stock. Near Maidan Pratsi station, the one and only depot is located. Otherwise, the trams turn at the turning circles built at the terminal points.

Following are the stations of Kryvyi Rih Metrotram:

Kiltse KMK, Tretia Dilnytsia, Druha Miska Likarnia, KNEU

These are stations on Route 3 of Kryvyi Rih Metrotram. They are all built at above-ground level with platforms on one side of the track. Opened in 2012, these stations facilitate travel from the northern to the southern corners of the city. These stations make it easy to reach ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih plant.

Kiltseva

The station is nothing but a tram roundabout with multiple platforms and pavilions. Opened in 1989, it acts as the southern terminus of Kryvyi Rih Metrotram. Trams of Routes 1 and 2 stop at this station. It provides a transfer to the KNEU station on Route 3. It is located near the intersection of Sergo Ordzhonikidze Street and Nikopol Highway at above-ground level.

Prospekt Metalurhiv

Opened in 1989, this station has a single vault type construction at a shallow level. This is a station where the trams of all the three metrotram routes stop. The station is constructed as a standard metro station. It is located at the junction of Stanislav Kosior Street and Metallurgov Avenue and thereby is near to Metalurh Stadium.

Budynok Rad

Opened in 1988, it also lies on the routes of all of the three metrotram lines. It has a single vault construction at the shallow level. This station is also built as a full metro station. It is located at the heart of the city and the city council building is in the nearby.

Dzerzhynska

Starting service in 1986, it is above-ground station having single vault construction. It has got a new name Mudryona. Due to its geographical location away from train stations and busy streets, it experiences very low traffic. Still, Route 1, 2 and 3 all have stops at this station.

Maidan Artema

This station is in service also since 1986. It is now known as Vechirniy bulvar. It has a shallow level construction with platforms being on either side of the line. All the three routes pass through this station.

Miska Likarnia

This station was opened in 2001. It is constructed at above-ground level with platforms on only one side of the track. It is the most newly built station near Solnechny and Vostochny microraions and central municipal hospital. All the three routes have stops at this station.

Imeni Hutovskoho

Imeni Hutovskoho was opened in 1986 as an above-ground enclosed station. All the three routes of Kryvyi Rih Metrotram pass through this station. This is the busiest station of the system due to its location at the junction of microraions Gornyatsky, Vostochny-1, 2, 3 and Solnechny.

Maidan Pratsi

This station is located at a roundabout point of metrotram where Route 1 ends. It is operating since 1986 as an above-ground level station. It gets its main traffic from Hirnytske microraion and Kryvyi Rih Central Mining Equipment Maintenance Plant (KVRZ).

Industrialna

This station was built in 1999 above the ground level having platforms on one side of the track. Routes 2 and 3 pass through this station. This station is mainly used by the workers of KVRZ. It is located at the end of city’s industrial district.

Vovnopriadylna

This station was built at above-ground level with platforms lying on either side of the line. Unfortunately, it was never put in operation and it is very unlikely that it would be used even in future. The reason is mainly the lack of traffic. It lies on the routes of number 2 and 3.

Elektrozavodska

The station was created in 2000 on an already operating track. Route 2 and 3 both pass through this station. It has a shallow construction with platforms on both sides of the line. The station is at the terminal points of multiple marshrutka and bus routes.

Zarichna

This station is operating since 1999 and is included in route 2 and 3. It is located above-ground level and the platforms are on either of the track. There is a plan to make it a terminus station once route 4 starts operation.

Expansion

KRMT has high popularity. It transports, on average, 40 million passengers every year with a record count of 56 million passengers in 1997. In the post-war period, Soviet Union was lacking funds and was unable to develop regular rapid transit metro systems. In the 1980s, metros were introduced in some of the cities. However, they couldn’t fetch the significant amount of passengers.

On the other hand, the metrotram systems are running quite well gaining more popularity with time. The construction cost is much lower compared to a regular metro system. All these made the city authority consider further expansion of the system. No construction is going on at this moment. However, the city government may consider extending the routes both in northern and southern directions. New rolling stocks should replace the old ones.

Fares and Tickets

The system has a linear rate price structure and irrespective of the distance traveled and time spent in the metrotrams, you pay a fixed amount. However, every time, you board a metrotram, you must buy the ticket or token. Each token costs 1.70 UAH. This makes it a very affordable means of public transport. Students of different grades get discounts on the regular fare and seniors travel free of cost.

Tokens are to be purchased directly from the driver, conductor, ticket vending machines or from the ticket windows located in the stations. The tokens must be punched at the time of riding the metrotrams and must be carried along throughout the journey.

Facilities and Services

Because of the following services, the metrotram ride becomes an enjoyable one:

• There are electric monitors fitted in the trams. They show the tram route, the name of the next station etc. in Ukrainian as well as in English.
• Stations are well-equipped with escalators, toilets, waiting rooms etc.
• Parking lots are available adjacent to the stations.

Rules

Know the rules for using Kryvyi Rih Metrotram and make sure you don’t violate them.

• Smoking is prohibited on the trains and in the stations.
• Metrotrams only pick passengers from designated stations. Always look for the metro tram signs to find stations and wait there.
• Remember photography is allowed in the stations but filming isn’t.
• Never forget to validate your ticket. Otherwise, you have to pay fine.

Tips

Here are the tips to make the best use of Kryvyi Rih Metrotram network.

• While buying tickets from vending machines make sure you have notes and coins of the appropriate denomination.
• The tokens are for a single journey. If you’re making a round trip, always buy two tickets.
• Be aware of pickpockets.