"When a trolleybus isn't running, people notice right away." Interview with the head of the Khorezm trolleybus depot

"When a trolleybus stops, people notice immediately." Interview with the Director of the Khorezm Trolleybus Depot

Khorezm Region is the only region in Uzbekistan with a trolleybus system. For nearly 30 years, it has connected Urgench and Khiva, maintaining its popularity. The fleet was recently replenished with new Yutong trolleybuses with autonomous propulsion. These trolleybuses will once again extend the route to the airport and train station, reducing service intervals and doubling passenger numbers.

Gazeta correspondent Mirolim Isazhonov spoke with Shukhrat Khaitboev, Director of the Khorezm Trolleybus Depot state enterprise, about the operation of the Urgench-Khiva route, the challenges it faces, and the upcoming changes following the introduction of the new trolleybuses.

Shukhrat Khaitboev:

— The trolleybus line between Urgench and Khiva is one of two intercity trolleybus systems in the world. Its one-way length is 35.6 km. The longest line in the world, 84 km long, operates between Simferopol and Yalta.

The decision to launch trolleybus service in the Khorezm region was made in 1997. The initiative was timed to coincide with the 2,500th anniversary of Khiva, celebrated in 1998. A year before the anniversary, the Urgench Khokimiyat established the state-owned enterprise "Khorezm Trolleybus Administration," after which work began on laying the overhead wire and constructing the necessary infrastructure.

Nine Skoda 14Tr trolleybuses were purchased from the Czech Republic (these vehicles are no longer in service – ed.). In 2013, new Skoda 24Tr trolleybuses were also delivered from the Czech Republic. For their time, they were modern and comfortable, and they have been in reliable service for 13 years now.

An older generation trolleybus.

The same nine trolleybuses are currently in service. An additional 10 trolleybuses were purchased from China in July. They will begin service in the coming days, on the eve of Independence Day (September 1st – ed.), bringing the total number of vehicles to 19.

The trolleybuses operate on a 4+4 schedule (four vehicles depart each morning from Urgench and four from Khiva – ed.). The service interval is 25 minutes. After the new trolleybuses are launched, 16 of the 19 will be deployed, with three vehicles remaining in reserve. The service interval is expected to be reduced to 12 minutes.

One of the existing trolleybuses on a street in Urgench.

A round-trip trip takes 70 minutes, with trolleybuses making nine trips per day. The new trolleybuses will have an extended route, and the trip time could be approximately 80-85 minutes.

— The main advantage is the ability to travel without contact, meaning without wires.

They can travel autonomously for up to 100 km. After completing the wire-free section of the route, they reconnect to the overhead wire and recharge the battery.

This will allow them to travel 7-8 km or more beyond the line. Nine trips per day will be possible.

The new trolleybuses will be presented in Khiva in August 2026.

The trolleybuses are designed to carry 87 passengers. They are equipped with amenities for people with disabilities, the elderly, and passengers with children. They are equipped with USB and Type-C ports, internal and external surveillance cameras, and air conditioning.

Driver monitoring systems, lane departure warnings, and automatic fire suppression systems are available.

The contract for the delivery of the new trolleybuses was worth $2.7 million. A seven-year loan agreement has been signed, during which we are expected to repay the loan.

A trolleybus on a street in Urgench.

Currently, the trolleybus line no longer connects the airport and the Urgench train station, as it did previously.

The new trolleybuses will depart from Urgench International Airport, travel to the train station, and then connect to the overhead power line on the route to Khiva.

Trolleybuses have been running from the airport since 1997, but part of the line was then removed (now trolleybuses run from Urgench's central market – ed.). We are now restoring the route to the airport. The main goal is to create a more convenient environment for tourists and visitors. After disembarking, tourists will be able to take a trolleybus to Khiva.

Eleven stops will be added to the route, bringing the total number to 100. While the current average daily passenger load is 2,000-2,500, the new trolleybuses are expected to double that figure, reaching 4,000-5,000.

— Passengers pay 3,000 soums for a distance of almost 36 km. Since July 1, some bus and trolleybus routes in the region have switched to electronic fare collection, no longer accepting cash.

Since the route passes by the regional hospital and oncology center and then continues through the Koshkupyrsky District, the trolleybus is a convenient mode of transportation, including for healthcare workers and patients' families.

— One trolleybus consumes an average of 450 kilowatts of electricity per day. The new trolleybuses are more efficient, using approximately 300-350 kilowatts.

We still have outstanding electricity bills, but we've cleared this with the power grid. We've agreed to pay the debt in monthly installments.

Since March 12, we've been operating under a gross contract system. Under this system, the company receives payment for every kilometer traveled. Currently, we pay 11,392 soums per kilometer. One trolleybus travels approximately 300 km per day, which brings in approximately 3.4 million soums. Eight trolleybuses per day generate over 27 million soums. We plan to use this to pay off our debts.

— Driving a trolleybus requires special training. Drivers must have a category "T" driver's license and at least five years of driving experience. We primarily select people with public transportation experience, category "D" licenses, or experience driving minibuses, and train them for category "T."

Currently, the training lasts three months. The driver then undergoes six months to a year of practical training alongside an experienced instructor. After completing the training, they take the wheel themselves.

Drivers must be over 22 years old. There are currently no women among them, but there are no barriers to their employment as drivers if they meet the requirements.

As for vehicle maintenance, we have about five mechanics working in our fleet. Repair time depends on the malfunction: some defects are fixed within an hour, while others can take a day or two.

There is a slight problem with spare parts, as the trolleybuses are manufactured in the Czech Republic. Given their age, some parts can be difficult to find. However, mechanics can manufacture many of the parts themselves and carry out repairs. Thanks to this, the condition of the trolleybuses, which are already 13 years old, is good.

— Of course. A 2,000 square meter trolleybus parking area is planned for Khiva. The project requires 833 million soums (currently, trolleybuses in Khiva are parked overnight on the street near the Ichan-Kala fortress – ed.).

The trolleybus depot will be located in the Sangar mahalla on Elobod Street. It will accommodate up to 10 trolleybuses. Since the new vehicles are autonomous, there will be no need to extend wiring.

The depot will be located approximately 500 meters from the line. It will be constructed of lightweight structures. Construction is scheduled for completion by January 1, 2027.

— Trolleybuses are a very environmentally friendly form of transport. It's fair to say that over the past 30 years, they have become an integral part of residents' lives, especially those traveling between Khiva and Urgench.

When a trolleybus isn't running, people immediately notice.

Sometimes we're closed for a week or 10 days due to line maintenance. During these times, we receive many inquiries: "When will you restart service? What's going on?"

We usually carry out maintenance work in the summer, when there are fewer students and schoolchildren. We repair and replace wires, substations, and other infrastructure.

— The main complaints are about service intervals and air conditioning.

With the launch of the new trolleybuses, the intervals will be shorter, and they are all air-conditioned (unlike the old vehicles – ed.).

Another problem is morning traffic jams due to the large number of cars traveling to Urgench from Koshkupyr and Khiva.

We hope that after the opening of the Khiva-Urgench toll road, traffic jams will be significantly reduced.

Among our tasks, in addition to launching the depot in Khiva, are renovating the main depot in Urgench, completing the construction of the administrative building, and building a new car wash.