Bishkek Mayor Announces Complete Removal of Trolleybuses
Trolleybuses to be Completely Removed from Bishkek
Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic – The Mayor of Bishkek, Aibek Dzhunushaliev, announced in an interview with Kabar news agency that trolleybuses will be completely removed from the city. This decision comes as part of a plan to improve public transportation by replacing trolleybuses with modern, mobile buses.
Dzhunushaliev explained that the city will be cleared of trolleybus lines, with all power lines and cables being laid underground. He highlighted the limitations of trolleybuses, stating that they can only travel along designated routes and cannot be redirected to other streets easily. In contrast, electric buses and other forms of public transport offer more flexibility in changing routes to address traffic congestion.
The Mayor also pointed out that the number of passengers using trolleybuses has been declining each year, with a decrease of 3 million passengers from 2023 to 2024. Additionally, he mentioned the high cost of servicing trolleybuses, with over 200 million soms being subsidized from the budget.
The municipality has proposed to transfer 100 trolleybuses to Osh and dismantle the contact network in Bishkek, a move that has sparked concern among some citizens. However, Dzhunushaliev emphasized that the decision is aimed at creating more efficient and convenient transportation options for residents of the city.
As the city of Bishkek moves towards a more modern and flexible public transport system, the transition away from trolleybuses marks a significant shift in the transportation landscape of the capital.
