Urban Public Transport Will Become More Convenient and Modern

In Uzbekistan, new measures are being defined to improve the urban passenger transport system, increase comfort for passengers, and stimulate the purchase of modern buses.

In accordance with Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 276 dated June 3, 2026, further development of passenger transportation on regular urban bus routes, the import of modern transport vehicles meeting environmental requirements, and the alignment of regulatory legal documents in the sector with current legislation are envisaged.

According to the resolution, a zero rate of the recycling fee will apply until December 31, 2027, for the import into Uzbekistan of new buses, electric buses, and trolleybuses designed to carry 60 or more passengers (together with the driver) and meeting Euro-5 and higher environmental standards. This will create additional opportunities for business entities to purchase modern public transport vehicles.

Additionally, starting from September 1, 2026, the procedure for paying fares on regular urban bus routes organized on a gross contract basis will be more clearly defined. Passengers will be able to pay the fare by tapping a transport card on the validator when boarding the bus, or using a bank card, smartphone, and other contactless electronic payment methods.

The resolution also provides for payment possibilities using modern technologies such as NFC, QR, biometric, BLE, and UWB. The procedure for confirming the right to discounted and free travel using social or transport cards will also be retained.

Another important aspect of the resolution is strengthening payment discipline in public transport. According to the established procedure, if a passenger does not pay the fare or confirm the right to discounted travel when boarding the bus, they will be considered a fare evader.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Transport has been tasked, together with relevant organizations, with introducing an integrated fare payment system in the capital’s public transport and suburban railway services. This process also envisages the development of attractive tariff plans on the “electric train–bus” and “electric train–metro” routes.

The resolution clarifies certain norms related to urban bus routes. In particular, some passenger routes extending outside the city for a certain distance will be classified as intra-city bus routes. This will facilitate the daily commuting of residents living in the suburbs.

Special attention will also be paid to improving the working conditions of drivers working beyond the established normative working hours on regular urban bus routes and ensuring compliance with working time norms in accordance with legislation.

This resolution will serve the gradual modernization of the public transport system, the expansion of convenient and transparent payment mechanisms for passengers, the improvement of transport service quality, and the increase in the share of environmentally friendly vehicles.