According to the local passenger transport development strategy project, Uzbekistan intends to significantly increase its passenger transport fleet. It is planned to commission 30 electric trains, 650 railway passenger carriages, 5000 buses, and 2000 electric buses by 2030.
Planned Increase in Train Fleet
The document states that the number of electric trains operating on domestic routes should increase from the current seven to 16 in 2026, then rise to 17 in 2027, 22 in 2028, and reach 27 in 2029, concluding the period with reaching the mark of 30 by 2030.
The proposed purchases will be financed through loans and other funding from international financial organizations. Furthermore, Uzbekistan plans to increase its passenger railway carriage fleet from 537 in 2025 to 560 in 2026, 580 in 2027, 605 in 2028, and 620 in 2029, aiming for a total of 650 by 2030.
The strategy provides for the allocation of 143 million US dollars from the Reconstruction and Development Fund to update the passenger carriage fleet. In the first half of 2026, three of the six high-speed electric trains manufactured by Hyundai Rotem began operating on the Tashkent–Urgench–Khiva route. Uzbekistan has also signed a contract with the Czech company Škoda Transportation to supply 10 electric trains for suburban passenger transport.
Expansion of Bus Fleet
The strategy project also provides for a significant expansion of the country's public bus fleet. It is planned that the number of regular buses will grow from the current 2005 to 5000 by 2030, while the electric bus fleet should increase from 646 to 2000 units.
Intermediate targets set the need for 2453 buses and 746 electric buses in 2026, followed by 3053 buses and 1046 electric buses in 2027. By 2028, a figure of 3653 buses and 1346 electric buses is expected, and in 2029—4300 buses and 1646 electric buses.
The proposed procurement program will be financed by funds provided by participating enterprises and international financial institutions. The coordination of the document's implementation will be carried out by the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan and JSC 'Toshshahartranskhizmat'.
The document also contains data on previous transport acquisitions. Between 2023 and 2025, Uzbekistan acquired 2005 buses, 646 electric buses, and minivans for regional public transport systems. In the first half of 2026, an additional 345 buses, 65 electric buses, and 231 minivans were purchased.
In addition, the strategy project proposes introducing a zero rate for the environmental levy when importing new M3 class III buses and electric buses meeting Euro 5 standards or higher. This exemption from the levy will apply to qualified vehicles imported before December 31, 2027.
