Transport - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 493

Kyrgyz Security Agency Condemns Osh Mayor’s City Toll Plan

Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (SCNS) has sharply criticized a controversial proposal by the mayor of Osh, the country's second-largest city, to introduce an entry fee for vehicles arriving from other regions. Mayor Jenishbek Toktorbayev raised the idea earlier this week during a municipal meeting focused on identifying new sources of revenue for the city budget. Arguing that Osh cannot rely indefinitely on central government support from Bishkek, Toktorbayev floated the possibility of charging motorists for access to the city. According to the mayor, Osh is home to over 500,000 residents, with the population exceeding 800,000 when accounting for daily inflows from neighboring areas. “About 56,000 vehicles enter Osh each day, leading to traffic jams, accidents, and air pollution,” he said. Toktorbayev proposed charging 50–100 KGS (approximately $0.60-$1.15) per car and 100-150 KGS per truck, estimating that such fees could generate around 2 million KGS daily. This could add up to an additional 3 billion KGS (roughly $34.5 million) in annual revenue for the city budget. However, the SCNS issued a strong rebuke, calling the idea unacceptable. In a statement cited by local media, the agency warned that the financial burden would disproportionately affect ordinary citizens, particularly low-income families. It added that higher delivery costs would likely be passed on to consumers, driving up prices for goods and services. The Committee urged all mayors and local officials to refrain from proposing such "crazy ideas" and instead focus on addressing the real challenges facing their constituents. Following public backlash and the SCNS statement, the Osh municipal government's Facebook page, which previously contained details about the mayor’s proposal, has become inaccessible. The notion of charging vehicle entry fees is not new in Kyrgyzstan. Last year, a similar proposal was floated for Bishkek as a potential solution to the capital’s worsening traffic congestion. However, President Sadyr Japarov rejected the idea, instead ordering the expansion of road infrastructure and the construction of new parking facilities. The Times of Central Asia has previously reported on Mayor Toktorbayev’s active economic agenda. Notably, his urban development plans have sparked public opposition, including from the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Kyrgyzstan, who urged city authorities not to demolish a historic cemetery to make way for a new road.

Trolleybuses public transport Bishkek Transport

Bishkek Activists Demand Comeback for City’s Scrapped Trolleybuses

As Bishkek prepares to introduce its first fleet of electric buses, local activists are mounting a legal campaign to save the city’s trolleybus system from complete dismantlement. Municipality’s Modernization Push The first two electric buses from China’s Anhui Ankai Automobile Co. have already arrived in Bishkek and will soon begin operating on city routes. In total, the city has procured 120 electric buses, with the remaining 118 expected to be delivered by May, according to Daiyrbek Orunbekov, head of information policy at the President’s Office. Orunbekov said the new vehicles will replace outdated public transport and help improve the capital’s environmental conditions. “City streets used to be clogged with shuttle buses, and the roads were in disarray. Now modern buses are replacing minibuses. Last year, the roads were reconstructed and old trolleybus lines dismantled. Some residents were initially unhappy, but electric buses, more spacious and comfortable, are now on the routes,” he explained. A Contested Phase-Out Despite these upgrades, the decision to remove trolleybus lines has sparked a backlash. Bishkek residents and activists have sued the mayor’s office, arguing that officials acted without proper authorization in dismantling the network. All trolleybus lines in Bishkek were removed in a short period. Of the remaining fleet, 100 trolleybuses, many still under loan repayment, were transferred to Osh, six to Naryn, and 42 remain parked on the outskirts of the capital. Meanwhile, Kyrgyz MP Ulan Bishimbayev has announced that the authorities plan to retrofit some of the old trolleybuses with batteries to convert them into electric buses. One pilot project is already underway. “We invited specialists who confirmed it was possible. One trolleybus is being remodeled in pilot mode and should be launched within 10 days,” Bishimbayev said. Legal Battle and Environmental Concerns The next court hearing on the trolleybus issue is scheduled for April 9 at the Bishkek City Court. Activists argue that trolleybuses, powered by a network of 19 existing substations, remain one of the most sustainable forms of transport. “Trolleybus wires are a consumable material that needs replacement every 20 years. The challenge of restoring them is manageable. What matters are the substations, and they are still intact,” activist Bermet Borubayeva told The Times of Central Asia. She also questioned the narrative that the old system was outdated. “A representative from the president’s staff claimed the trolleybuses were outdated and would be replaced with electric buses. But that’s misleading. The trolleybuses bought with a €23.5 million European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) loan just six years ago are still modern, with a service life of 20 years,” she said. Borubayeva also pointed out that the batteries used in electric buses typically last only 5-10 years and pose environmental risks when recycled. According to earlier electrification plans approved by European lenders, Bishkek was expected to combine trolleybus and electric bus networks. However, city authorities have opted for a different course.

Route roads Issyk-Kul Transport

Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Plan Faster Routes from Almaty to Issyk-Kul

Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have taken another step toward implementing a long-discussed infrastructure project: the construction of an alternative highway linking Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, to Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan’s top tourist destination. On March 28, Almaty hosted the sixth meeting of the Kyrgyz-Kazakh Working Group on Transport and Infrastructure Development, held under the framework of the Almaty-Bishkek Economic Corridor Project, with support from the Asian Development Bank. Participants agreed on the key parameters for a feasibility study and committed to accelerating the implementation of the new road. [caption id="attachment_30342" align="aligncenter" width="740"] @AKIPress/The existing road from Almaty to Issyk-Kul and three possible alternative routes[/caption] Lake Issyk-Kul remains a major draw for tourists from across the region and is especially popular with residents of Almaty seeking weekend or summer getaways. Although the two locations are only 80 kilometers apart in a straight line, they are separated by mountain ranges. The existing route detours through Bishkek, extending the distance to more than 460 kilometers and turning what could be a short trip into an 8-hour drive to Cholpon-Ata, the largest resort town on the lake’s northern shore. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan first signed a memorandum of understanding on the construction of an alternative route in 2007, but progress has since stalled. The proposed new highway would bypass Bishkek, passing through the town of Uzynagash, west of Almaty, and the town of Kemin, located approximately 100 kilometers east of Bishkek, before continuing to Cholpon-Ata. This revised route would reduce the total distance to around 260 kilometers, significantly shortening travel time.

public transport Monorail System Transport

Bishkek Considers Monorail System to Ease Transport Woes

Bishkek is exploring the possibility of building a monorail system to address its long-standing transport challenges and alleviate traffic congestion in Kyrgyzstan’s rapidly growing capital. According to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Economy and Commerce, discussions were held on March 19 between Chinese company CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles, the Bishkek municipality, and Kyrgyzstan’s national railway company Kyrgyz Temir Jolu. The talks focused on assessing the feasibility of constructing a monorail network in Bishkek. The parties agreed to conduct a detailed study of the project, evaluating its economic and technical viability. As part of this process, the Bishkek municipality will provide sketches of the proposed monorail system for analysis. City officials also emphasized that the project could be implemented as a public-private partnership, creating opportunities to attract foreign investment. If built, a monorail system could significantly improve Bishkek’s public transport infrastructure, offering a modern and efficient alternative for city residents. The project aims to reduce traffic congestion, shorten travel times, and improve urban mobility. The idea of constructing a monorail in Bishkek was first proposed in 2020. At the time, then-acting mayor Balbak Tulobaev dismissed skepticism surrounding the project and even suggested that in the future, monorail travel could extend as far as Karakol. In 2021, a memorandum of cooperation was signed with the Turkish company Sky Ray Ve Oto Yedek Parça Ekipmanlari Üretim Sanayi A.Ş. during President Sadyr Japarov’s official visit to Turkey. By 2022, the municipality had developed a preliminary plan for high-speed transport lines over the Ala-Archa and Alamedin rivers, which connect the southern and northern parts of the city. While the monorail remains in the planning stage, the renewed discussions signal a potential step toward modernizing Bishkek’s transport network and easing its growing traffic burden.

Project South Korea Transport Urban Transport System Bishkek

Bishkek Collaborates with KOICA and Seoul Institute on Sustainable Urban Transport Project

On March 11, Aibek Junushaliyev, Mayor of Bishkek, met with representatives from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Seoul Institute, an official think tank for South Korea’s capital, to discuss preparations for a project titled, Creating a Sustainable Urban Transport System to Achieve Carbon Neutrality in Bishkek. The initiative aims to reduce air pollution and improve the quality of life for Bishkek residents. According to the Bishkek municipality, KOICA representatives presented an implementation plan, while the Seoul Institute provided practical recommendations on integrating innovative transport technologies. The project’s key objectives include: Developing a long-term transport strategy for Bishkek, ensuring sustainable urban mobility Integrating modern technologies to optimize public transport routes, monitor traffic flows, and enhance efficiency through data analysis Improving accessibility and safety for all categories of users, including pedestrians and cyclists Engaging stakeholders, such as local communities, businesses, and NGOs, to ensure an inclusive and citizen-focused transport system Promoting environmental sustainability by introducing eco-friendly public transport and expanding pedestrian and cycling infrastructure Mayor Junushaliyev emphasized that the project’s success would not only modernize the city’s transport infrastructure but also enhance Bishkek’s environmental sustainability and investment appeal. Municipal transport remains a pressing issue in Kyrgyzstan’s rapidly growing capital. However, in recent years, Bishkek has taken steps to modernize its fleet, replacing older diesel-powered vehicles with larger, more eco-friendly buses running on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Transport Donation Locomotives Railways

Kazakhstan Donates Five Locomotives to Kyrgyzstan

Kazakhstan has donated five locomotives to Kyrgyzstan as part of ongoing cooperation in transport infrastructure, the Kazakhstan Agency of International Development (KazAID) announced. Two shunting locomotives and three mainline locomotives were transferred free of charge to Kyrgyz Temir Jolu, Kyrgyzstan’s national railway company. The donation was facilitated by KazAID, which aims to strengthen Kazakhstan’s regional ties through cooperation in transport, energy, and infrastructure. “This step demonstrates the continued successful implementation of official assistance, contributing to the development and strengthening of fraternal relations between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan,” said KazAID Chairman Arken Arystanov. The locomotives are expected to significantly enhance freight transportation and maneuverability on Kyrgyzstan’s railways, supporting the country’s economic growth and regional connectivity. Kyrgyzstan’s Railway Modernization Efforts Kyrgyzstan has recently taken key steps to modernize its railway infrastructure and expand regional transport links. Trans-Eurasian Route Project: In February 2025, Kyrgyzstan signed a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement with U.S.-based consortium All American Rail Group Global Infrastructure Partner LLC for the construction of a $3 billion railway. The new east-west line will traverse Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous terrain, connecting Karakol in the Issyk-Kul region with Makmal in Jalal-Abad. China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway: In December 2024, construction officially began on this 523-kilometer railway, designed to serve as a key east- west trade corridor. The project will link China, Central Asia, the Middle East (including Turkey, and the European Union.) Kazakhstan’s locomotive donation aligns with Kyrgyzstan’s broader efforts to enhance regional transport infrastructure, strengthening economic ties and facilitating greater trade opportunities.