Tashkent bus and metro fare raise will help cover transport costs - mayor

**Tashkent bus and metro fare increase will help offset transport costs - mayor**

The new public transport fares that took effect in Tashkent on Oct. 1 will help cover part of the cost of transporting passengers by bus and metro, Tashkent Mayor Shavkat Umrzakov said.

He said the fare hike was prompted by rising energy prices, the renewal of the bus fleet, the opening of new routes and the expansion of the metro network.

Umrzakov emphasized that the higher fares do not mean the full cost of maintaining public transport will be passed on to passengers. According to him, keeping fares at their previous level could create financial problems for the transport system, including difficulties in meeting obligations to banks tied to bus purchases.

So far, 1,200 buses have been bought for Tashkent. At the same time, work is still underway to expand the metro network and construct new routes.

The Tashkent city administration and the Transport Ministry are also working to cut bus fleet operating costs and improve transport efficiency. The Road Traffic Management Center is taking steps to raise the efficiency of passenger services and reduce operational and financial burdens.

These measures are meant to help avoid the need for further fare increases in the future.