Bishkek resident questions new buses' lack of air conditioning; mayor responds

A resident of Bishkek has voiced strong criticism regarding the city's newly acquired buses, questioning the decision-making process behind their purchase. During an environmental council meeting, the citizen specifically pointed out the absence of air conditioning and the uncomfortable design of the seats, suggesting the vehicles are ill-suited for passengers.

"Who bought these buses and how were they accepted? I sometimes feel like the city residents are like adopted children to the mayor's office," the resident lamented, highlighting a perceived disconnect between the administration and the public's needs.

Mayor Aybek Dzhunushaliev acknowledged the concerns, explaining that the buses were acquired under previous mayoral terms. He detailed past efforts to address the city's infrastructure needs, prioritizing schools and public transport over amenities like air conditioning in earlier projects. "We had to work with what was already there," he stated regarding the bus purchase.

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Who bought these buses and how were they accepted? I sometimes feel like the city residents are like adopted children to the mayor's office.

The mayor further elaborated on the challenges of installing air conditioning in the existing fleet, noting that the buses were not originally designed for it. While air conditioners were purchased for these buses in 2024, they did not perform as expected. Dzhunushaliev assured that all subsequent bus and electric bus procurements will include air conditioning as standard, and manufacturers are exploring solutions for retrofitting the current buses.

In response to the resident's frustration, the mayor requested specific examples of officials using private vehicles and mentioned that city employees participate in alternative transport days. He also noted that efforts are ongoing to find ways to install air conditioning in the current buses.

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We had to work with what was already there.