Abstract
The relevance of this article is extremely high, as the development of urban transport is currently associated with urbanization processes, transportation challenges, environmental concerns, and economic benefits. This article examines the problems faced daily by drivers of urban public transport, including road congestion, poor road conditions, and the lack of dedicated public transport lanes.
Due to the insufficient number of buses, trolleybuses, and minibuses, residents are forced to switch to private vehicles and taxis for comfort and safety. As a result, the number of cars in the city increases, leading to heavier traffic congestion. The main focus of this study is to improve the situation and enhance the accessibility and comfort of urban public transport, including the development of new routes and the use of more environmentally friendly transportation modes.
Keywords: public transport, passenger flow, road transport infrastructure, traffic congestion, dedicated lanes.
Main Part
Problems in the development of urban public transport include overloaded routes, lack of vehicles, inefficient route utilization, as well as safety and environmental sustainability issues. Solving these problems requires infrastructure investments, modernization of the vehicle fleet, and the implementation of intelligent technologies for managing transport networks.
The Bishkek City Hall is implementing important reforms in transport and road infrastructure. These include the introduction of dedicated public transport lanes, modernization of bus stops, launching new bus routes, and closing certain minibus routes. However, residents have not yet experienced significant improvements: long waiting times and overcrowded vehicles remain common.
More than 270 municipal buses, 125 private buses, 120 trolleybuses, and approximately 1,000 minibuses operate daily within the city.
Road Condition Problems
One of the most serious long-term problems faced by urban public transport drivers is poor road conditions. Low-quality roads increase travel time, accelerate vehicle wear, and raise maintenance costs. As a result, public transport becomes less attractive to passengers who prefer private cars or alternative transport modes.
Main causes of poor road conditions:
- Technical and technological problems;
- Institutional shortcomings;
- Regulatory gaps;
- Outdated legal frameworks.
It should be noted that these are only the main contributing factors, and additional issues may exist that have not yet been fully studied or disclosed.
Traffic Congestion Problem
As more residents shift to private cars and taxis, road congestion continues to increase. Traffic jams and overloaded roads can simultaneously stimulate demand for public transport, as people seek alternative ways to avoid delays and reduce travel-related stress.
Measures to reduce congestion:
- Development of public transport. Improving quality and accessibility reduces the number of private cars on the roads.
- Demand-based transport planning. Adaptive scheduling and route management help optimize traffic during peak hours.
- Infrastructure development. Dedicated bus lanes and bicycle paths improve traffic flow and safety.
- Road expansion. Removal of illegal constructions and expansion of road capacity.
A combination of these measures can significantly reduce traffic congestion.
City Hall Decision: Implementation of Cashless Payment
One of the key decisions made by the Bishkek City Hall was the implementation of cashless fare payment. Starting August 20, 2023, municipal transport began transitioning to a fully cashless payment system. If passengers do not have a “Tulpar” card, the fare is set at: cashless payment — 17 soms, cash payment — 20 soms.
Advantages of cashless payments:
- Passenger convenience. No need to carry cash or search for change.
- Improved efficiency. Reduced boarding time and fewer vehicle delays.
- Enhanced analytics. Accurate data collection on passenger trips enables better route planning and optimization.
Together, these factors contribute to improving the quality and accessibility of urban public transport, which may increase ridership and support further development.
Bishkek Minibuses
Why are there so many, yet passengers still cannot use them easily?
The quality of private minibus services has been declining, while citizen complaints continue to grow. Minibuses effectively hold a monopoly in passenger transportation. The situation is likely to persist until the number of minibuses is optimized.
Most common complaints from residents:
- Overcrowded minibuses;
- Dirty interiors;
- Waiting times up to 40 minutes;
- Some routes stop operating after 8:00 PM;
- Lack of service on weekends;
- Unauthorized route changes;
- Passengers dropped off before reaching final destinations;
- Driver rudeness;
- Dangerous driving;
- Poor service culture.
Currently, Bishkek is served by 103 routes operated by 39 companies. Approximately 2,000 vehicles operate on city roads daily.
According to the city transport department, the number of minibuses has decreased by about 800 units over the past one and a half years. However, vehicle distribution across the city remains uneven.
About 28 routes operate along Abdrahmanova and Baytik Baatyr streets, around 10 routes pass through Elebesova Street, while the city outskirts remain insufficiently served.
Conclusion
Significant reduction of traffic congestion, improvement of road infrastructure, and increasing the number of modern buses will create a more comfortable and efficient public transport system, reduce travel time, and improve accessibility for passengers.
Replacing minibuses with modern buses could also reduce pollutant emissions, improve urban air quality, and increase overall citizen satisfaction with transportation conditions.
Such changes are closely linked to economic development, as efficient public transport increases mobility, improves access to workplaces, enhances tourism infrastructure, and supports business growth within the city.
References
- Rakhmatullina A.R. Problems of Urban Public Transport Development // Management of Economic Systems: Electronic Scientific Journal. – 2013. – No. 12 (60). – p.70.
- Rakhmatullina, Albina Rustamovna. Problems of Urban Public Transport Development. Management of Economic Systems: Electronic Scientific Journal, 12 (60), 2013.
- Rakhmatullina, A.R. (2013). Problems of Urban Public Transport Development. Management of Economic Systems: Electronic Scientific Journal, (12 (60)), 70.
- kaktus.media/doc/395445_marshrytki_bishkeka._pochemy_ih_tak_mnogo_no_passajiry_ne_mogyt_yehat_na_nih.html
