With almost 2 million inhabitants, Kharkiv (Khar'kov in Russian) is Ukraine's second largest city, situated in the eastern part of the country. Initially a combined network of existing suburban and new urban lines was planned during the 1960's, but when the first tunnel sections were finished common 2.7 m wide rolling stock was ordered for exclusive metro use.

The Kharkiv Metro was inaugurated on 23 August 1975 (10.4 km with 8 stations). It connects three railway and three major bus stations.

Stations in the city centre are very deep, less so in outer areas. Similarly to the Moscow or Kyiv metros, most stations are beautiful underground palaces. Platform length is 100 m for 5-car-trains on all lines for the use of 5-car-trains.

Between Kyivs'ka and Barabashova, the Saltivs'ka Line crosses the Kharkiv river on a 988 m covered bridge.

The network has a total length of about 35.3 km with 28 stations (2004):

23 Aug 1975 - Kholodna Gora (formerly Ul. Sverdlova) - Moskovs'kyi prospekt
23 Aug 1978 - Moskovs'kyi prospekt - Proletars'ka
11 Aug 1984 - Istorychnyi Muzey - Barabashova (7.7 km)
26 Oct 1986 - Barabashova - Heroiv Pratsi (Russian Geroyev Truda)
06 May 1995 - Metrobudivnykiv - Naukova
21 Aug 2004 - Naukova - 23 Serpnia (Russian 23 Avgusta) (2.6km)

 Projects

By the year 2025, 50 km of new lines with 30 stations should be built. See map with planned extensions.

Due to an average station distance of 1500 m commercial travel speed is 42 km/h. The first trains leave at 5:30 and the last at 0:30.

On the Red line and the Blue line trains run every 2-3 min., every 3-4 min. after 22:00, on the Green line every 3-4 min. During off-peak hours (10:00-14:00) every third train terminates at Barabashova on the Blue line during winter months.

1 Token (with transfer between metro lines) - 0.75 hryvnia
Rechargable cards for 10, 25 and up to 100 trips available.

The introduction of contactless smartcards is planned.