Public transport coverage in Uzbekistan reached 98.8% of neighborhoods in 2026, up from 87.9% in 2021, as the number of areas without access to public transport fell from 1,118 to 111, the Ministry of Transport reported.
The figures were presented at a press conference in Tashkent on October 16, according to the ministry’s announcement.
Foto: Transport vazirligi
Between 2020 and 2026, Uzbekistan established 1,037 new public transport routes, bringing the national total to 2,868. Of these, 653 operate within cities, 2,041 serve suburban areas and 174 connect different regions through intercity services.
The share of the economically active population using public transport increased from 21% in 2022 to 37% in 2026, according to the ministry.
Daily passenger numbers in regional administrative centers rose to 2.36mn following the introduction of a gross-cost contract (gross-contract) system for organizing passenger transport, up from 1.45mn in 2023. In Tashkent, daily bus ridership increased from 650,000 to 1.5mn over three years.
Foto: Transport vazirligi
More than 3,300 buses operate on routes across the country each day, completing over 51,200 trips, the ministry said.
The average interval between buses has decreased from 18–20 minutes to 10–12 minutes, while the average time passengers spend reaching their destinations has fallen from 45 minutes to 30 minutes.
Uzbekistan purchased 3,500 buses between 2023 and 2026, including 753 electric buses. The country also acquired 2,264 minibuses to replace 235 M1-category vehicles, including Damas minibuses, on regional routes.