Tashkent recorded 138,780 administrative protocols against bus passengers who failed to pay fares between January and October 2026, according to data from the Ministry of Transport. The figures show that the overwhelming majority of violations involved younger passengers: 92.4% of protocols were drawn up against people aged 16 to 30. The statistics put renewed focus on fare compliance, enforcement and the financial sustainability of public transport in Uzbekistan’s capital.
Key Takeaways: Tashkent authorities issued 138,780 protocols for bus fare evasion over the ten-month period. Passengers aged 16–30 accounted for 92.4% of cases, including 97,747 protocols (70.4%) for those aged 18–30 and 30,533 (22%) for those aged 16–17. Men accounted for 105,272 protocols (75.9%), while women accounted for 33,508 (24.1%).
The two youngest categories combined accounted for 128,280 protocols out of the total, highlighting how fare evasion is concentrated among school-age and university-age riders who rely heavily on urban buses. In Tashkent, where public transport carries large daily passenger flows, fare revenue is directly linked to route regularity, vehicle maintenance and the wages of drivers. The age breakdown therefore matters for transport planners: it suggests that enforcement alone may be less effective than a combination of targeted communication, easier payment options and visible controls at busy stops and on popular routes. It also indicates that any review of fare policy and inspection practices will need to take youth travel patterns into account.
The Ministry of Transport reminded passengers to pay fares on time and follow the established rules for using public transport. Officials stressed that non-payment undermines the financial stability of the public transport system, because the revenue is needed to ensure regular bus services, maintain vehicles in proper technical condition, pay drivers and improve service quality. The gender breakdown also stands out: nearly three-quarters of all protocols were issued to men, a detail that may shape how authorities design awareness campaigns and inspections. The ministry has not provided a route-by-route or time-of-day breakdown, leaving the broader patterns of fare evasion open to further scrutiny.
The ministry has not yet announced a separate forecast or a new package of measures for the coming months. Still, the latest data provide a basis for reviewing enforcement practices, expanding digital payment options and stepping up outreach among young passengers. Future reporting periods will show whether the number of protocols declines and whether fare collection improves enough to support service quality and the long-term sustainability of Tashkent’s bus network. For passengers, the key question is whether stricter controls will be paired with clearer payment rules, convenient options and reliable bus services.
Source: uznews.uz