Uzbekistan Introduces Mandatory Bus Fare Payment on Entry

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  Starting September 1, 2026, Uzbekistan will introduce mandatory fare payment upon boarding city bus routes. Passengers who fail to pay will be considered fare evaders, the Ministry of Transport said, citing a government decree dated June 3.

The new rule applies to routes operating under a gross-contract system, in which carriers are paid for completed trips rather than collected revenue. According to the ministry, the measure is aimed at ensuring full fare collection and improving transparency in the system.

Fare payment or confirmation of eligibility for discounted travel will be carried out upon boarding using validators installed at bus doors. Payments can be made using transport cards, bank and social cards, as well as smartphones and other contactless payment methods.

The Ministry of Transport also clarified that urban routes will include lines operating within a radius of up to 5 kilometers from city boundaries, and in some cases up to 12 kilometers.

Ahead of September, preferential tariff plans are expected to be introduced in the capital region, enabling integrated travel across urban and suburban transport, including buses, electric trains, and the metro.

In addition, the government has exempted imported city and suburban buses from the recycling fee. The exemption applies to Class I and II Euro-5 and higher standard buses designed to carry at least 60 passengers, including the driver. The measure will remain in effect until the end of 2027 and is aimed at modernizing the country’s bus fleet.