"It's embarrassing to look people in the eye." The mayor of Surkhandarya criticized the condition of roads, trains, and fares.

Surkhandarya Region Governor Ulugbek Kosimov, while visiting the Jarkurgan District, harshly criticized the state of the region's transportation system, road infrastructure, and high passenger fares. A video of his speech was published yesterday on the khokimiyat's Telegram channel.

Assessing the condition of the M-39 highway connecting the region with Tashkent, the governor called the complaints of car and bus drivers "justified," adding, "We're already embarrassed to look people in the eye."

"After Baysun, it's impossible to travel. Taxi drivers complain. Bus drivers complain," said Ulugbek Kosimov.

"The railway is completely unserviceable," the governor continued. "By the time you get to Tashkent, you'll feel ill. There's no cooling system, no conditions." There are no tickets, no conditions at the station. It's impossible to transport people on a commuter train from Termez to Sariasiya. The transport prosecutor's office is simply a spectator."

The khokim emphasized, addressing the leadership of the transport department and the prosecutor's office, that passengers pay for services, and these services must be provided at an appropriate quality.

"Why isn't the rule of law being enforced? Why aren't measures being taken? Where is the transport department looking?" he asked.

Ulugbek Kosimov also noted the high prices of air tickets, stating that the territorial division of the Committee for the Development of Competition and Consumer Protection is acting only as an "observer."

He ordered that within a week, train cars traveling to both Tashkent and Sariasiya be equipped with all the necessary conditions for passengers.

Representatives of the Competition Committee were instructed to review ticket pricing.

“Thanks to our people—they board silently and ride. Students, the elderly. It’s impossible to breathe inside. Will this prosecutor board [this train]? Will his heart take it? This person doesn’t have time. What are your operatives thinking? Do they even have an organization like the Sanitary and Epidemiological Service? What are they thinking?” the khokim (mayor) was indignant.

Ulugbek Kosimov also expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the airports and ordered a full inspection of everything—from restrooms to waiting rooms.

“Why should people arriving in Sariasiya sit outside in the heat? What was the lounge even built for? No one gets a free ride. People buy tickets? So they need to be served,” the head of the region emphasized.

He also noted that while service personnel in the transport sector are friendly abroad, this is lacking in the region.

The khokim concluded that ticket sales systems must be transparent, tickets should not be obtained through connections, fares should be reasonable, and there should be no artificial barriers.

Ulugbek Kosimov announced that he will personally inspect the condition of train cars early next week.