Bishkek Residents Complain of Bus Shortages After Cash Payment Ban

Residents of Bishkek are expressing frustration over widespread problems with the city's bus services, with many attributing the disruptions to the recent abolition of cash payments on public transport. Social media platforms are filled with complaints from citizens who struggled to get home in the evenings, citing a severe lack of buses.

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I barely made it home. Half the way on foot in the dark. Not a single bus at 10 PM. There used to be plenty. Only one line is working, but people physically couldn't fit. Previously, I remember, there were definitely several lines until 11 PM. It's some kind of horror in the city.

One user described a harrowing experience: "I barely made it home. Half the way on foot in the dark. Not a single bus at 10 PM. There used to be plenty. Only one line is working, but people physically couldn't fit." Another questioned the new transfer system, stating, "What have they done with these transfers on buses? Now there are no necessary buses at all. Previously, two buses went from one point to another, now there isn't a single one. What to do?"

Longer intervals between buses are leading to crowded conditions at stops, making it difficult for passengers to board. "The intervals between buses have become very large, so many people gather at the stops, and it's impossible to get on the buses – they are overcrowded," one resident lamented. "Buses were less crowded before, but now during peak hours, it's practically impossible to get on. In this heat, it's a real sauna inside the buses – stuffy, cramped, and unbearable conditions. It's especially impossible to get on buses going to residential areas (new buildings)."

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What have they done with these transfers on buses? Now there are no necessary buses at all. Previously, two buses went from one point to another, now there isn't a single one. What to do?

Since July 1, cash payments have been discontinued in Bishkek's public transport, eliminating informal earnings for drivers. Passengers unable to pay digitally are reportedly being asked to leave the buses. While authorities introduced free transfers within an hour, the director of "Bishkek City Transport," Talantbek Kapaov, had previously acknowledged a shortage of buses. Representatives from the municipal enterprise have not yet responded to the latest complaints.

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The intervals between buses have become very large, so many people gather at the stops, and it's impossible to get on the buses – they are overcrowded. Buses were less crowded before, and now during peak hours, it's practically impossible to get on. In this heat, it's a real sauna inside the buses – stuffy, cramped, and unbearable conditions. It's especially impossible to get on buses going to residential areas (new buildings).