Cash payments to be phased out on commuter trains and intercity buses

The Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan has published a draft proposing that, by January 1, 2030, fares on suburban trains and buses, as well as intercity buses, be paid entirely cashlessly. The document provides for a discount of at least 20% on electronic tickets from 2027 to 2029. Currently, about 70% of passengers on these routes pay in cash.

To launch the new system, the ministry, together with the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Uzbekistan Railways, must develop tariff rules, payment procedures and a mechanism for compensating carriers. The document states that the discounts will not require additional funding, but the source of funds to compensate for lost revenues has not been disclosed.