The tender for the dismantling of trolleybus poles in Bishkek was announced by the municipal enterprise "Bishkek City Transport." The total cost of the contract amounts to 12 million 46 thousand soms, as reported by Bermet Borubaeva, the founder of the initiative group #BishkekSmog.
She noted that previously the city's financial management had claimed that the transfer of 100 trolleybuses would not incur expenses for the local budget. However, according to her, the costs for dismantling the infrastructure will actually be covered by the capital's budget.
The liquidation of transport infrastructure is being carried out at the expense of the citizens, which raises legitimate questions.
Bermet Borubaeva
The activist questions: "Why should residents not only endure the inconveniences created by the mayor's office but also finance these changes?"
Bermet Borubaeva also emphasized that trolleybus poles serve not only for the contact network but also for street lighting. She cited Akhunbaev Street as an example, where after the road was widened, the poles were dismantled, and the section has remained unlit for two years.
Additionally, it remains unclear what will happen to the dismantled structures.
The Osh city hall previously reported that within the framework of a separate investment project supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the construction of a third trolleybus line is planned. In 2024, a funding package of up to 23 million euros was approved for the development of electric transport and the modernization of the infrastructure of the southern capital.
Residents of Bishkek had previously filed a lawsuit to invalidate the decision of the Bishkek City Council regarding the transfer of 100 trolleybuses to other regions of the country. The first hearing in the case took place on October 23, 2024. The citizens argue that this decision violates the law on loan agreement No. 1191-VI, concluded for their purchase, and was made with numerous violations.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for March 16 in the Supreme Court.
