Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan plans to increase domestic passenger transport volumes to nearly 2 billion journeys a year by 2030 by integrating rail, air and road transport into a unified system. The government has proposed a strategy for developing domestic passenger transport through 2030, according to a draft presidential resolution.
Key targets of the strategy
Domestic routes carried 1.6281 billion passengers in 2025. By 2030, public transport is expected to carry 1.9775 billion passengers annually, air transport 2.5 million and railways 20 million, up from the current 9.9 million. The value of transport services is projected to rise from 188 trillion soums to 320 trillion soums.
The strategy envisages establishing six transport hubs in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench, Nukus and Ferghana. Twenty public transport routes will connect railway stations, airports and bus terminals. Three railway lines linking stations with airports are also planned in major cities.
The transport fleet will be expanded and modernised. The number of electric trains operating on domestic routes is expected to increase from seven to 30, while the passenger carriage fleet will grow from 537 to 650. Electric buses are projected to account for 30% of public transport in Tashkent, Nukus and regional centres, up from 15%.
Between 2026 and 2030, Uzbekistan plans to build or reconstruct 58 bus terminals and stations. The number of transport facilities managed under public-private partnerships is expected to increase from one to eight.
Unified ticketing and digital platform
From 1 January 2028, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Digital Technologies are scheduled to launch a national platform called Bir yo‘l. Passengers will be able to check routes, timetables, fares and seat availability for trains, flights, buses and urban transport, plan door-to-door journeys, and book a unified electronic ticket and transfers.
The government aims to bring the share of passengers using the platform to 25%.
A pilot unified ticketing project covering the route from Tashkent Airport to Urgench Airport and Khiva railway station is scheduled to begin on 1 July 2027.
Train, flight and bus schedules are to be comprehensively revised using artificial intelligence and coordinated with one another. By 1 January 2028, Tashkent State Transport University is expected to develop a system for forecasting passenger flows.
Regional projects
In the Tashkent metropolitan area, an integrated transport connection linking Tashkent North and Tashkent South railway stations, the international airport and the central bus terminal is planned to begin operating in July 2027. The number of suburban electric trains serving Chirchik, Yangiyul, Angren and Almalyk is expected to increase by 50%, with direct transfers to the metro available to passengers.
In Samarkand, tourist shuttle services connecting the airport, railway station and major attractions are due to launch by the end of 2027.
In Bukhara, express buses linking the railway station with the airport, the Old City and hotels are planned to begin operating in February 2028.
In the Ferghana Valley, the number of electric trains on the circular Kokand–Pop–Namangan–Andijan–Margilan–Kokand route is expected to double by the end of 2028.
In Nukus, a system of rapid bus lines along E. Alakuz Street is scheduled to begin being introduced by the end of 2027.
Discounts and incentives
From 2027 to 2029, passengers purchasing electronic tickets for suburban trains and suburban and intercity buses will receive discounts of at least 20%.
From 1 January 2030, fares on these routes will be payable exclusively through 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 or higher standards and imported by the end of 2027 will be exempt from the vehicle recycling fee.
From 2027 to 2030, railway stations, bus terminals and airports will be exempt from property and land taxes. From 1 July 2027, major terminals are also expected to introduce at least one hour of free Wi-Fi, facilities for ordering official taxis and free luggage storage for up to 24 hours.
Funding and oversight
Capital investment under the strategy for 2026–2030 is estimated at US$4.5743 billion. The largest shares are expected to come from private partners involved in public-private partnership projects, contributing US$2.2291 billion, and government partners, contributing US$1.2545 billion.
The draft notes that these figures are preliminary and will be revised after feasibility studies have been completed.
The Ministry of Transport will be responsible for overall coordination and is expected to assess implementation progress annually from 2027.
