The government of Uzbekistan has developed a strategy for the development of domestic passenger transport until 2030, which provides for the integration of railway, air, and road transport into a single system. The goal is to increase the volume of domestic passenger traffic to almost 2 billion trips annually.
According to the plan, in 2025, domestic routes transported 1.6281 billion passengers. By 2030, it is expected that public transport will carry 1.9775 billion passengers per year, air transport will carry 2.5 million, while rail transport will increase from the current 9.9 million to 20 million. The cost of transport services is projected at 320 trillion sums, compared to 188 trillion sums currently.
The strategy includes the creation of six transport hubs in cities such as Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench, Nukus, and Fergana. Additionally, the opening of twenty public transport routes is planned, which will connect stations, airports, and bus terminals. The construction of three railway lines connecting stations with airports in major settlements is also provided for.
Modernization and expansion of the transport fleet are planned. It is expected that the number of electric trains on domestic routes will increase from seven to 30, and the passenger carriage fleet will increase from 537 to 650. In Tashkent, Nukus, and regional centers, the share of electric buses in public transport should increase from 15% to 30%. Between 2026 and 2030, Uzbekistan intends to build or renovate 58 bus terminals and stations, and the number of objects managed under public-private partnerships should increase from one to eight.
Starting January 1, 2028, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Digital Technologies will launch a national platform called Bir Yol. This system will allow passengers to check schedules, fares, seat availability, and routes for trains, flights, buses, and urban transport, as well as plan door-to-door journeys and purchase a single electronic ticket and transfers. The government aims to achieve a 25% share of passengers using this platform.
A pilot project for unified tickets, covering the route from Tashkent Airport to Urgench Airport and the Khiva railway station, is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2027. Schedules for trains, flights, and buses will be completely revised using artificial intelligence and coordinated among themselves. By January 1, 2028, the Tashkent State Transport University must develop a passenger flow forecasting system.
Within the Tashkent agglomeration, integrated transport communication is planned to connect Tashkent North and Tashkent South railway stations, the international airport, and the central bus station, starting from July 2027. It is expected that the number of suburban electric trains serving Chirchik, Yangiyul, Angren, and Almalyk will increase by 50%, with the possibility of direct transfer to the metro.
In Samarkand, tourist shuttles connecting the airport, railway station, and main attractions are scheduled to start operating by the end of 2027. In Bukhara, express buses linking the railway station with the airport, Old City, and hotels are planned to start operating in February 2028. In the Fergana Valley, the number of electric trains on the Kokand–Pop–Namangan–Andijan–Margilan–Kokand ring route is expected to double by the end of 2028.
In Nukus, the implementation of a high-speed bus line along E. Alakuz Street is planned by the end of 2027.
From 2027 to 2029, passengers purchasing electronic tickets for suburban trains and suburban and intercity buses will receive a discount of at least 20%. Starting January 1, 2030, payment on these routes will be made exclusively by cashless methods. Holders of electronic tickets for long-distance trains will be able to use suburban trains free of charge for 12 hours before departure and after arrival.
New buses and electric buses meeting Euro 5 standards or higher and imported by the end of 2027 will be exempt from vehicle disposal fees. From 2027 to 2030, railway stations, bus terminals, and airports will be exempt from property tax and land tax. Starting July 1, 2027, large terminals are also planned to provide at least one hour of free Wi-Fi, official taxi ordering services, and free baggage storage for up to 24 hours.
The volume of capital investments under the strategy for the period 2026–2030 is estimated at 4.5743 billion US dollars. Private partners participating in public-private partnership projects are predicted to account for the largest share, contributing 2.2291 billion US dollars, as well as state partners who will contribute 1.2545 billion US dollars. The document notes that these figures are preliminary and will be adjusted after the completion of feasibility studies. The Ministry of Transport will be responsible for overall coordination and will begin annual monitoring of implementation progress starting in 2027.
