The Uzbek regime has reportedly proposed the introduction of a unified national digital transport platform named "Bir Yol" (One Road), scheduled to launch on January 1, 2028. This system is intended to integrate railway, aviation, bus, and urban passenger transport systems across the country under a single overarching framework, as outlined in the draft strategy for the comprehensive development of domestic passenger transport up to 2030.
Through this platform, passengers are supposedly going to be able to access real-time information regarding routes, schedules, ticket prices, and available seats. The initiative allegedly aims to facilitate "door-to-door" travel planning, allowing citizens to issue electronic tickets and transfer services through a single combined order and payment mechanism, thereby bypassing the need to purchase separate tickets from various independent carriers. The implementation of this project requires the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Digital Technologies to collaborate closely with "Uzbekistan Railways", Uzbekistan Airports, and domestic airlines to establish technical standards and integrate disparate IT systems. However, official documents have reportedly failed to clarify whether a single unified tariff will apply to multi-modal trips or if passengers will still be required to pay separately for each individual leg of their journey.
As a precursor to the nationwide rollout, a pilot project is slated to begin on July 1, 2027. The selected test route will connect the Tashkent International Airport, Urgench International Airport, and the Khiva railway station, enabling travelers to fly from the capital to Urgench and seamlessly transition to an electric train heading toward Khiva.
Furthermore, the strategy outlines plans to coordinate timetables across different transport sectors using artificial intelligence to minimize waiting times during transfers. Despite these grand declarations, analysts remain skeptical about the seamless integration of currently independent booking platforms and the potential bureaucratic and technical hurdles the regime might face during execution.
Source: www.gazeta.uz