On 29 October 2026, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed, at second reading and as a whole Law No. 15102, which expands the scope for using vehicles received as humanitarian aid to provide passenger transport services. Specifically, this applies to public bus routes, including suburban and inter-city services, as well as urban electric transport. The new provisions apply to local governments and regional state (military) administrations, which are responsible for organising such transport services.

The document provides for amendments to Article 15 of the Law of Ukraine “On Humanitarian Aid”, which will remain in force during the period of martial law.

 

What will change for the organisation of passenger transportation

One of the key objectives of the adopted Law is to expand the scope for using humanitarian aid to ensure transport links.

Under martial law, Ukrainian communities receive buses and other vehicles from international partners. However, legal restrictions on the use of humanitarian aid have made it difficult to use such transport for regular passenger services, particularly on routes where fares are charged.

The legislative changes are aimed to address this issue.

In particular, the list of vehicles, machinery, equipment, and spare parts that may be provided as humanitarian aid to ensure the operation of public bus routes and urban electric transport has been expanded.

This creates the legal framework for the use of humanitarian buses on suburban and inter-city routes, including for the provision of paid passenger transportation in line with established regulations.

For communities, this decision has practical significance. After all, transport links between localities provide residents with access to healthcare facilities, education, administrative, and social services, as well as to workplaces.

This issue is particularly relevant for frontline and war-affected territories, where transport infrastructure has been damaged and local budgets have limited capacity to purchase new vehicle fleets.

 

The role of local governments and regional administrations

An important aspect of the legislative changes is the identification of the bodies responsible for organising the relevant transport services.

The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Social Policy and the Protection of Veterans’ Rights noted, during the preparation of the draft law for its second reading, that provision is made for the involvement of regional state administrations (regional military administrations) alongside local governments.

This is important for routes whose organisation falls within the remit of different levels of public authority.

In particular, this concerns suburban and inter-city transport services that provide transport links between communities.

However, the adopted Law should not be viewed as an automatic transfer of new powers to all local governments. The organisation of transport services will continue to be governed by the delineation of powers established by law.

For communities, one important aspect will be how the new rules allow for the use of humanitarian transport in cooperation with regional administrations and transport operators.

 

Humanitarian aid will also be able to be used more widely in other spheres

In the process of preparing for the second reading, the draft law was expanded. The adopted Law applies not only to bus transport and urban electric transport.

In particular, it provides for the possibility of a public-service railway company to receive humanitarian aid to ensure passenger and freight transport, the repair and maintenance of tracks, the protection of critical infrastructure and traffic safety.

The list of recipients and beneficiaries of humanitarian aid also includes the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, its branches and state-owned stevedoring companies. Such aid may be used to prevent, detect, contain, and eliminate accidents.

Certain provisions apply to business entities classified under the relevant civil protection categories, whose premises are subject to fire protection by state fire and rescue services. Such entities are designated as recipients and beneficiaries of humanitarian aid to support the operations of these services.

 

What else the Cabinet of Ministers needs to regulate

The adopted Law provides for the establishment of specific procedures for the transfer, accounting, distribution, and use of the relevant humanitarian aid. The necessary procedures are to be approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

These by-laws should specify the procedures for applying the new rules, in particular those relating to the receipt and use of vehicles, equipment, and spare parts.

It will be important for local governments and transport organisers to clarify what documents are required to use humanitarian transport, how it will be accounted for, and what operational requirements will be established.

Therefore, the adoption of the Law creates a legislative framework for expanding the use of humanitarian aid, but the practical application of individual provisions will depend on the Law coming into force and subsequent government resolutions.

 

Why this is important for communities

The problem of transport accessibility is particularly acute in areas where residents of several communities rely on a shared network of healthcare, education, social, and administrative services. For small localities, regular bus services are often the only way to reach a hospital, an educational institution, or a place of work.

At the same time, organising such transport services requires significant expenditure on the purchase of vehicles, their maintenance, repairs, and the operation of routes.

Expanding the scope for the use of humanitarian aid could partially reduce the need for expenditure on the purchase of vehicle fleets and help to restore transport links.