Public transport operations in Tashkent are facing severe discipline issues, with authorities reporting over 113,000 administrative cases issued against ticketless passengers within a single year. The crackdown resulted in the collection of 2.7 billion soms in fines. During a briefing at the Media Preparation Center, transportation officials admitted that these figures only represent documented infractions, and the actual scale of fare evasion is believed to be considerably higher.
Mamanbiy Omarov, First Deputy Minister of Transport, stated that Tashkent buses run 24,000 trips daily, with inspectors identifying over a thousand non-paying passengers every single day. Mirakbar Ikromov, head of the Tashkent Transport Main Directorate, added that fare evaders account for 8 to 10 percent of all passengers, an alarming 98 percent of whom are under the age of 30. Officials expressed concern that despite the availability of 50 percent discounted transit cards for students, young commuters continue to bypass payment regulations.
To tighten oversight, the Cabinet of Ministers previously granted inspectors the authority to check fare payments directly inside bus cabins rather than just at terminal stops. Equipped with body cameras and tablets, inspectors monitor compliance, though officials admit that peak-hour crowding hinders thorough checks. Furthermore, the transport ministry has reportedly proposed a fivefold increase to the current 44,000-som fine, claiming the hike allegedly aims to foster a payment culture rather than merely boost state revenues.
The financial sustainability of the capital's transport system remains heavily dependent on state subsidies. According to official data, the 2025 budget allocated 1.8 trillion soms for public transport, with passenger fares covering only a third of the total expenses. Projections indicate that next year's expenditures will surge to 2.7 trillion soms, meaning the state regime will continue to shoulder more than 60 percent of the overall financial burden despite recent tariff increases.
Source: www.gazeta.uz