Tashkent to phase out all buses without air conditioning by next summer
Of the more than 1,700 buses operating in Tashkent, 191 still lack air conditioning. The city plans to add 240 new buses by the end of the year, with all new vehicles required to have both air conditioning and heating. By the summer of 2027, all buses without air conditioning will be phased out.
Tashkent is set to remove all non-air-conditioned buses from its public transport fleet by next summer.
Mirakbar Ikromov, head of Tashkent’s Main Transport Department, informed Gazeta that out of the more than 1,700 buses currently operating in the city, 191 lack air conditioning. These are older diesel models manufactured between 2012 and 2013.
Ikromov stated that half of these older diesel buses are slated for retirement in 2026, in accordance with presidential directives. The remaining buses without air conditioning will be phased out before the summer season next year.
He emphasized that "Under the procurement rules, buses are required to be equipped with air conditioning and heating systems, and this requirement is included in all tender documentation."
Addressing complaints about air conditioning not always being active in equipped buses, Ikromov provided several explanations.
"Some passengers say it gets too cold inside the bus and ask the driver to switch the air conditioning off. Others insist that the windows should be closed and the air conditioning switched on. It’s difficult to maintain a temperature that satisfies everyone," he explained.
Equipment malfunctions were cited as another factor. The Main Transport Department has a dedicated state agency with 50 inspectors tasked with monitoring service quality.
"They conduct on-site inspections, identify buses with malfunctioning air conditioning systems and assess service quality. If necessary, a bus is sent back to the depot and only returns to service once the issue has been fixed," Ikromov detailed.
He also refuted allegations that drivers intentionally turn off air conditioning to conserve fuel.
"Each bus is supplied with enough fuel for its daily route. Fuel consumption depends not only on the weather but also on the driver’s experience. If operational standards are followed, there will be no fuel-related issues," he asserted.
The Transport Department reports that 300 to 400 buses in Tashkent currently run on diesel, while the rest use natural gas. The city's fleet also includes 528 electric buses.
By the close of 2026, Tashkent anticipates the arrival of an additional 240 buses. Toshshahartranskhizmat, the primary bus operator, will acquire 200 of these, with private operators purchasing the remaining 40.
Air conditioning in the city’s buses was activated for the summer season on May 7. At that time, Toshshahartranskhizmat announced that buses with faulty cooling systems would not be deployed and that any defects would be promptly repaired.
Prior to 2018, no buses in Tashkent were equipped with air conditioning. Currently, all newly acquired buses come standard with both air conditioning and heating systems.