The Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan has reportedly developed and submitted for public discussion a draft presidential decree outlining a phased transition to cashless payments in passenger transport. The comprehensive development strategy for domestic passenger transportation runs through 2030 and targets suburban trains as well as intercity buses across the country.

According to the project documents, approximately 70 percent of passengers on these specific routes currently continue to pay their fares in cash. The authorities supposedly aim to reduce this figure to zero by January 1, 2030, achieving a 100 percent electronic payment model. Proponents claim this policy is designed to ensure transparent financial accounting and significantly shrink the shadow economy within the transportation sector.

To incentivize passengers to adopt electronic ticketing, the initiative proposes temporary fare discounts. Specifically, between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2029, individuals purchasing electronic tickets for suburban trains and intercity buses would receive at least a 20 percent discount. However, independent observers point out potential financial gaps, as the mechanism for compensating carriers for uncollected revenues remains vague and lacking specific funding sources.

Additionally, the draft introduces perks for long-distance train passengers, allowing those who purchase electronic tickets to use suburban electric trains free of charge 12 hours before departure and 12 hours after arriving at their destination. As a reminder, cash payments on municipal buses in Tashkent were already phased out starting January 2025.

Source: www.gazeta.uz