TRANSPORT AS A STAFF OF LIFE

The metropolitan public transport anticipates great changes this year. The innovations include a new electronic payment system, wi-fi, air-conditioned buses, coins for minibuses, and much more.

Introduction of automated electronic fare collection system is among the major projects. Specialists are currently drafting a resolution to galvanize passenger transport in Tashkent, which provides for the introduction of this system in the buses and in the subway.

To this end, special validators will be installed in every bus and subway station. To pay the fare, a passenger has to apply a smart-card, which can be purchased at travel card sale points. The introduction of a system would ensure transparency of payment process in public transportation.

The introduction of special coins to pay for minibuses is another interesting initiative. In 2013, the capital started piloting coins as payment for public transportation. The coins can be purchased for a plastic card in a network of specialized points of the company.

Now, it is planned to expand the successful experience in minibuses.

“We plan to maximally move beyond cash payments with drivers. With this in mind, we have established 91 coin sale points throughout the city. We have a proposal to introduce special coins for minibuses. There are certain peculiarities. Unlike buses, the fare for minibuses differs, so we are planning to introduce coins of various denominations - a thousand, a thousand and five hundred and two thousand soums”, said Chairman of Toshshahartranskhizmat Company Otabek Sadykov.

Big changes will touch upon bus stops. In 2017, it is planned to install 100 electronic information boards in bus stops. To date, 20 cities have such boards on intermediate bus stops. They operate 24 hours a day and inform about the schedule of traffic, showing the number of the route that passes this stop, the exchange rate, as well as the weather in Tashkent. The bus schedule is shown from 6.00 to 23.00.

According to Toshshahartranskhizmat Chairman, the innovation has caused a positive response of citizens and guests of the capital, so after testing several boards it was decided to introduce this experience everywhere. Equipment was installed in cooperation with Grand Technology Systems.

In order to create additional amenities for Tashkent passengers and raise GPS efficiency, the company launched a Tashbus mobile application for Android and Apple IOS devices with the same partner. More than 80,000 users, tracking the routes, appreciated its advantages.

Larger air-conditioned buses running on compressed gas may appear in the capital of Uzbekistan this summer. Performance tests of the MAN buses assembled at the MAN Auto-Uzbekistan facilities near Samarkand have been held since last year in Tashkent.

“The bus has proved positive. There are some drawbacks, on which we are currently working together with the Uzavtosanoat and MAN Auto-Uzbekistan. They heard our concerns about the number of handrails, vent pane size and installation of air conditioners. We also made some proposals on engine operation. Let us hope that manufacturers will take into account our concerns,” said Otabek Sadykov.

The launch of production of MAN buses is scheduled for this year. In the near future, the project will be supported by a government document. The head of the company pointed out to the current talks on the supply of 60 low-floor SamAuto LE buses by SamAuto plant. The buses of such type already run in some regions of the country.

The company intends to purchase a total of 70 new large buses and 140 Isuzu buses this year. 80 Isuzu buses were procured for Tashkent last year. Today, they provide services to passengers on different routes.

Beloved by Tashkent passengers, free internet will not stay neglected. A free wi-fi project will be resumed by mid-2017.

The pilot initiative was launched in February, 2016. Buses on route №14 were equipped with free access to the global network. However, it was terminated just a couple of weeks later, despite huge plans. The company promised to provide free internet at almost all metropolitan buses of Mercedes-Benz by the end of the year.

“The issue of further provision of buses with wi-fi is on the agenda. One of the main reasons that hinder the project comes to the need to agree any additional changes, even small ones, with the bus manufacturer, the Mercedes-Benz Company. The process is underway. We hope to tackle it by the end of the first half of the year,’ said Otabek Sadykov.

Each bus with free wi-fi will be labeled with a special sign on the door. Settings of mobile devices will notify of the network name, offering a free connection.

Figures

Last year, Toshshahartranskhizmat enterprises carried over 272 million passengers. At present, the company’s system runs 1,350 buses, including Mercedes-Benz, Isuzu and Hyundai.

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