"People who ride the train are getting sick before they reach Tashkent" — Khokim of Surkhandarya region

During an inspection of investment projects and construction work in the regions, the governor of Surkhandarya region, Ulugbek Kasimov, sharply criticized serious problems in the transport system, in particular, poor conditions in trains and wagons, as well as unjustified increases in air ticket prices.

The governor, touching upon the condition of the main highway connecting Surkhandarya with Tashkent, noted the difficulties faced by drivers. “Everyone knows the M39 highway, which connects the residents of Surkhandarya with Tashkent. Once you cross it, you can’t drive. Our taxis are being chased. Bus drivers are being chased. We can’t even look at them,” said Ulugbek Kasimov.

The conditions created for passengers in railway transport were criticized, and the condition of the wagons and the trains on the Sariosiyo route were severely criticized. “There are no conditions on the railway at all. People who get on the train are getting sick before they reach Tashkent. Neither the cooling system works, nor are there conditions. There are no tickets, nor are there conditions at the station. It is impossible to transport people on suburban trains from Termez to Sary-Osia,” said the head of the region.

The governor sharply criticized the inattention of the transport prosecutor's office and responsible agencies in this process, calling on the transport prosecutor not to stand by and watch the situation.

The monopoly in the aviation sector and artificial obstacles in finding tickets were also criticized. “The airline ticket sales are in a shameful state. The price has doubled. The organization called Monopoly (meaning the Antimonopoly Office — ed.) is a spectator. How can a poor person go? You can’t look at the price of this ticket. You can’t find a ticket without acquaintances,” Ulugbek Kasimov emphasized.

An order was also given to digitize and make the ticket sales process transparent.

The regional head set a strict deadline for those responsible to eliminate shortcomings in the sector and announced that he would personally inspect the stations one by one at the beginning of next week.

According to him, the monopoly and responsible organizations must fully study the ticket sales process and transfer it to a fair and transparent system, as well as put an end to artificial barriers and inflated prices. It was emphasized that the arbitrariness of cashiers and the sale of tickets through acquaintances should not be allowed.

The governor said that next Monday morning he would go to the station and personally inspect the train sets on the Tashkent route, the condition of suburban trains to Sariosiyo, and the airports, including all their conditions, including their toilets. The head of the region firmly demanded that all the carriages be equipped with the necessary equipment within a week and decent conditions should be created for the people.