“When the fare was raised, we were promised that by 2025 cash transactions would be completely eliminated. However, at this point, we do not see any changes. On the contrary, a plan has been approved for drivers to collect cash every month. These are not private carriers, so what is the point of such a plan? The money collected does not go into the city budget but remains with the drivers. This is absolutely the wrong practice,” he noted with indignation.
Ruslan Isakov, a representative of the Department of Transport and Road Transport Infrastructure Development, assured that by 2026 all buses would switch to a cashless payment system.
According to Isakov, at the moment, drivers are required to submit a plan that amounts to three to four thousand soms per day, depending on the route.
Read more on the topic In 2026, Bishkek buses will fully switch to cashless fare payment
“You hand over three thousand soms to the city, put another three thousand in your pocket, and receive your salary. This is not a private enterprise but a municipal one. It is necessary either to implement control over payments or to completely switch to cashless transactions. This issue remains open, and we will continue discussing it with the vice-mayor,” Ergeshov added.
Additionally, the deputy raised the issue of the lack of public transport in some areas of the city, pointing out the non-compliance with schedules by private carriers and the long intervals between buses. “Moreover, in the annexed areas, there are many narrow streets where large buses cannot pass each other,” he noted.
Isakov also reported that in 2026, it is planned to purchase 625 small 8-meter buses for narrow streets.
New routes have already been developed, and their approval is scheduled for the next 10-15 days.
