12:44, 05 сентября 2023, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Tatyana KUDRYAVTSEVA
The Bishkek City Hall proposes to increase the fare in public transport to 20-22 soms. Deputy Mayor of the capital Maksatbek Sazykulov confirmed the information to 24.kg news agency.
According to him, for this price, the City Hall should provide comfortable, timely and sufficient number of public transport. It is about buses of large capacity, environmentally friendly, new and modern. At least 100 new buses have started serving the citizens, other 100 will be put in operation in the near future. By the end of the year, 800 new buses will begin to run around the city.
«When diesel fuel prices were 56 soms per liter, the cost of transportation of one passenger was 18.7 soms. Now it is even higher. Yes, gas prices have risen. Previously, it was 19.21, and now it costs almost 30 soms. Electricity is also expensive, spare parts are rising in price. Even if rounded up, the fare will be at least 20 soms. Now we are not even talking about raising fares, but aligning them with the cost. Fares should at least cover the costs. If this is not done, then in two years there will again be an old fleet and a transport collapse,» Maksatbek Sazykulov said.
The issue of introducing a differentiated fare for travel (payment in cash is more expensive — Note of 24.kg news agency) has been put on hold by the City Hall for the time being. Now the emphasis is on the complete transition to cashless payment in buses and trolleybuses.
«When we put all the buses on the line, each of them will have validators. The cashless payment system will work clearly, after which we can consider a differentiated tariff. If we introduce it, then cash payments will be twice as high. But it will be later. First of all, it is necessary to completely close the issue with non-cash payments,» Maksatbek Sazykulov told.