The 2,500-soum tariff: what do the changes in public transport mean for the city's economy and passengers?

The 2,500 soum tariff: what do the changes in public transport mean for the city's economy and passengers?

The current tariff of 1,700 soums had remained unchanged since November 2023. However, the significant expansion of the city's transport system and the rising cost of resources in recent years necessitate a new economic approach. Today, the number of buses in the capital has approached 1,900, while the daily passenger flow stands at 2.5 million people.

As the system expanded, the costs of maintaining it naturally increased as well: expenditures on fuel, spare parts, electricity, and staff salaries grew. In particular, recently, the price of electricity consumed by the system rose from 900 soums to 1,100 soums, i.e., by 22.2 percent, while the price of methane gas at CNG filling stations increased from 1,800 soums to 2,750 soums, representing a sudden 52.7 percent increase. Under these conditions, the current tariff covers only a fraction of the costs. Currently, the main financial burden remains on budget subsidies.

As noted in the ministry's response, the tariff reform is not just a change in numbers, but a mechanism for imposing strict requirements on carriers. In exchange for the 2,500 soum electronic tariff envisaged in the project, passengers have the right to expect punctual arrivals, clean cabins, and an improved service culture.

At the same time, the new subscription passes and transfer tariffs between different modes of transport are expected to help balance the expenses of regular passengers.

The document will remain open for public discussion until September 19, and the final decision will be shaped based on the feedback received.