Samarkand has commenced the second phase of its urban transport modernization, which will see the addition of 250 new electric buses to its fleet. The total cost of the project is estimated at $120 million and is being implemented with financial support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Plans to expand the eco-friendly vehicle fleet were announced during President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's visit to Samarkand.

The city has already successfully completed the first phase of modernization. Currently, 100 Yutong-brand electric buses operate on nine key urban routes. This $49 million project has enabled comfortable daily travel for 70,000 passengers. To ensure stable operation of the vehicles, a modern depot spanning four hectares was built in Samarkand, equipped with its own charging station capable of servicing up to 50 vehicles simultaneously.

With the deployment of the new batch of 250 electric buses, the environmental burden on the city is expected to decrease significantly. According to preliminary estimates by specialists, daily emissions of harmful gases will be reduced by 27 tons. Additionally, the expansion of the transport system is projected to create around 500 new jobs for local residents.

Alongside the renewal of the vehicle fleet, the city is also enhancing its road infrastructure. A key innovation is a 600-meter tunnel at the intersection of Gagarin and Rudaki streets. The $12 million facility was constructed with the involvement of experts from China and Turkey using a special technology that allowed traffic to continue uninterrupted during the works. Today, this interchange can handle up to 50,000 vehicles per day, significantly easing congestion in the historic part of Samarkand.

Source: podrobno.uz