The modernization of public transport stops in Tashkent is ongoing. According to the city administration, over 1,000 stops have been renovated to date.

In early March, the mayor of Tashkent signed a decree on the phased modernization of all stops according to a unified standard. Under the document, 1,185 of the capital's 2,717 stops are to be upgraded, and illegal trading points are to be eliminated.

The project is coordinated by the Traffic Management Center and implemented on a public-private partnership basis. Officials claim the new platforms will be level, barrier-free, and adapted for people with limited mobility. The daily passenger flow in the city is currently 1.4 million, with plans to increase it to 2 million by the end of the year.

A Kun.uz correspondent visited several stops to gauge passenger opinion. Most respondents complained about the "open" and "thin" design of the new stops. The main issue is insufficient protection from sun, rain, and other weather conditions. Passengers note that the stops look modern but are impractical, especially in summer heat when the small canopy area does not provide adequate shade.

"On sunny, hot days the sun beats down hard; the canopy should be wider. If there were a proper awning, it would be more comfortable," one passenger said. Another respondent highlighted design flaws: "We have to stand behind the stop and wait for the bus. These stops are useless; in rain and snow, people are left unprotected."

Another significant problem is the lack of digital information systems at stops. The absence of electronic boards with real-time GPS tracking of buses creates uncertainty and increases waiting time. "There's no GPS here; here we just sit and watch the road," a passenger remarked.

The shortage of benches was also cited as a pressing issue. Elderly people, pregnant women, and passengers with children suffer the most, having to stand for long periods. "Benches should be added because it's hard for elderly people; many have to stand," another respondent noted.

During the interviews, sanitation and cleanliness at some stops were raised. According to respondents, trash bins are not always emptied on time, and the stop areas are not regularly cleaned, negatively affecting both appearance and overall passenger perception of the public transport system. "First of all, when you look here, your mood drops. Trash bins aren't emptied, there's no cleanliness," a passenger said.

Source: kun.uz