A new system will be introduced in the field of public transport

On January 31, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on the implementation of a new public transport system in the cities of Tashkent, Nukus and regional centers.

Public transport is an important social service that reduces distances, saves money and time for the population, and improves the quality of life. More than 10 million people use public transport services in our country every day.

In the Address of the head of state, it was determined that in order to improve the quality of passenger transportation, 2,000 buses will be purchased in 2023. However, the President noted at the meeting, without changing the current system of work in transport departments and bus fleets on the ground, it will not be possible to provide services that meet the needs of the population, no matter how many buses are purchased.

New houses, schools, kindergartens, hospitals and other institutions are being built in all regions. However, the transport sector does not keep up with the pace of these changes and does not meet the requirements of modern development.

In particular, plans for the development of public transport have not been developed in some regional centers. Buses are used to run during peak hours of the day, as transport companies are tied to the daily revenue plan. The rest of the time, passengers have to wait for a long time for a bus or use taxi services.

In this regard, the meeting discussed proposals to improve the quality of service by changing the system of work in the field.

So, the practice of assigning a daily revenue plan will be canceled. Funds will be allocated to carriers depending on the distance traveled by the bus and the satisfaction of passengers with the quality of service. The quality of service will be assessed according to the criteria of convenience and sanitary condition of buses, their arrival at stops without delay.

This year, this system will be launched in the cities of Tashkent, Samarkand, Andijan and Urgench, and next year in other regional centers and the city of Nukus.

The Head of State stressed that public transport should be convenient for residents and attractive for entrepreneurs.

Existing bus routes need to be reviewed taking into account the needs of the population. The President noted that it is necessary to conduct surveys among local residents, to study the requests and wishes of the population.

Systematic updating of the transport fleet also plays an important role. Proposals to stimulate this process were announced at the meeting.

In particular, the novelty of buses will be determined as the main criterion for open tenders on public transport routes. Every year, when forming funds paid to carriers, the costs of updating 20 percent of the bus fleet will be provided.

In addition, entrepreneurs will be allowed to pay value-added tax on imported new buses in installments. A preferential loan for up to 10 years will be provided for the purchase of buses.

Ensuring the unhindered movement of public transport on the roads is an urgent issue.

A program has been developed in Tashkent to increase the capacity of intersections by creating a separate bus lane on 73 central streets. This will increase the average speed of buses by 1.5 times and eliminate delays.

The khokims of the regions were instructed to approve and proceed with the implementation of a similar metropolitan targeted program for improving transport infrastructure. It is indicated that it is necessary to provide in them the priority of public transport on roads and intersections, the creation of conditions for passengers and entrepreneurs at stops.