A commission of the Tashkent City Council has acknowledged systemic problems in the city's public transport system and approved a comprehensive modernization program.
Currently, Tashkent operates 169 bus routes with nearly 2,000 buses, carrying up to 1.4 million passengers daily. However, during peak hours, waiting times can stretch to 40 minutes. Buses get stuck in traffic jams as dedicated lanes account for only 18.5% of major roads. As a result, public transport moves in the general flow and falls behind schedule.
The condition of bus stops is also problematic: out of 2,871 stops, 753 lack basic structures, and another 836 are not equipped with canopies or information boards. This is especially inconvenient for elderly and passengers with limited mobility.
Furthermore, monitoring systems do not provide effective real-time transport management. This hampers control over service intervals, detection of delays, and rapid response to disruptions.
The share of public transport in total passenger traffic is only 35%, leading to increased use of private cars and worsening congestion.
To address the situation, authorities plan to purchase 240 buses, open 16 new routes, and increase the number of daily trips by 2,000. The capital will see 16.2 kilometers of BRT lines and another 56 kilometers of dedicated bus lanes. Over 600 cameras will be installed to monitor their use.
A separate focus is the modernization of bus stops: 1,116 existing stops will be reconstructed, and 70 new ones will be built with necessary infrastructure.
An important part of the reforms will be the introduction of an intelligent transport system. Traffic will be regulated by 545 "smart" traffic lights, enabling real-time management of traffic flows.
Other plans include optimizing schedules, analyzing and improving accident-prone areas, and promoting public transport among residents.
It is worth recalling that the under-construction "New Tashkent" area will feature a unique metro station with a multi-level parking lot, creating a seamless space for transferring from private to public transport.
Source: podrobno.uz