According to the proposed strategy for developing domestic passenger transport until 2030, Uzbekistan intends to offer passengers discounts of at least 20% when purchasing electronic tickets for suburban trains and buses.
These measures are included in the draft presidential decree on this strategy. The proposed discounts will be valid from 2027 to 2029 and will apply to suburban trains, as well as intercity and suburban bus routes. The goal of this initiative is to stimulate the use of electronic payments, increase transparency in transport accounting, and reduce the share of the shadow economy.
The Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and JSC 'Uzbek Railways' must develop and approve tariff rules, settlement procedures, and a mechanism for compensating expenses related to providing these discounts.
The draft also provides for free travel on suburban trains for passengers who have electronic tickets for long-distance trains. Such passengers will be able to use suburban services within the relevant region for 12 hours before the departure time indicated on the ticket and for 12 hours after arrival.
The procedures for providing this benefit and integrating tariff systems must be developed and implemented by September 1, 2027. According to the draft, this measure is intended to increase the load factor of suburban trains and improve the utilization of rolling stock.
Starting from July 1, 2027, a basic package of services for passengers is planned for phased implementation at all international airports, major railway stations, and bus terminals. These services will include access to free Wi-Fi for at least one hour.
Specialized electronic terminals will allow passengers to specify their destination without needing a SIM card or mobile internet, check the approximate fare, order official taxis, and receive a receipt with a QR code.
The document also provides for free baggage storage for ticket holders for up to 24 hours before departure and up to 24 hours after arrival. The document notes that the quality of Wi-Fi at transport facilities remains insufficient, and a unified baggage storage system for passengers does not yet exist.
The implementation of these services will be carried out by the Ministry of Transport, JSC 'Uzbekistan Airports', JSC 'Uzbek Railways', and regional administrations. Financing is expected to come from the own resources of companies and entrepreneurs.
For passengers transiting through Tashkent International Airport, the project offers the possibility of issuing a single electronic ticket and registering up to the final destination. An option to organize baggage delivery to the destination without needing to collect it at an intermediate airport is also being considered.
The proposed measures aim to improve travel convenience and enhance connectivity between different modes of transport. It is important to note that all these initiatives remain proposals within the framework of the strategy project and do not mean that the new rules have entered into force.