“President Evaluates Public Transport Quality in Firsthand Visit”
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan has expressed his desire to reduce traffic on the roads and ensure the free movement of buses in the country. The President visited the 7th bus depot of the Toshshakhartranskhizmat JSC on May 26, where he was briefed on the implementation of tasks in the public transport system. The city of Tashkent has been experiencing a growing demand for public transport services, with an increase in the number of residents, temporary residents, tourists and students. Previously, between 800,000 to 900,000 passengers used public transport in Tashkent, but now the figure has exceeded 1.3 million, leading to the problems of inadequate buses and long waiting times.
In December 2020, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the 18th bus depot in Tashkent and ordered new buses to be provided to improve passenger comfort. Based on this intervention, a decree was adopted by the President on February 16, 2021, “On measures to reform the public transport system”, which launched the modernisation of the public transport system in the country.
A total of 755 new modern buses were brought to Tashkent in April and May of this year, and they were deployed on some of the busiest routes in the city. As a result, the daily number of buses reached 1,400, with nine additional routes opened. Another 245 new buses will arrive in the coming days.
The 7th bus depot previously served 90,000 passengers daily on 18 routes. However, since receiving 67 new vehicles, its passenger transportation capacity has increased and its bus service interval times have reduced as a result.
Officials have provided an updated Transport Master Plan for Tashkent city that covers 167 routes. Seventeen of these routes have already had their daily plans cancelled, and tenders will be announced for the remaining 150 routes in June-July this year to operate according to the distance travelled.
A proper bus service requires skilled drivers, and to that end, driving training and retraining have been launched at the Transport University and other educational centres. Monthly salaries for bus drivers have been doubled, and over 1,000 new drivers have been hired since the start of this year.
The President has instructed his government to regulate the fare payment system, digitise traffic control and improve conditions at public transport stations with the aim of increasing the coverage of public transport in Tashkent to 2 million passengers. Finally, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev rode on a bus to travel along the route with ordinary passengers.
