Bishkek residents complain of 'Tulpar' card overcharges amid free transfer system

Following the elimination of cash payments and the introduction of free transfers on Bishkek's municipal transport, citizens are reporting significant issues with the "Tulpar" smart card system. Numerous complaints have surfaced on social media, with passengers alleging erroneous deductions from their accounts. Some users claim they have been charged up to nine times for a single journey, while others report money being debited on days they did not use public transport at all.

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We cannot steal money from bank cards, so they forced us to buy travel passes to avoid any responsibility.

One frustrated resident expressed concern that the system forces users to buy travel cards, shifting responsibility away from the transport authorities. Another user found herself in debt after being charged for rides even when her card had insufficient funds. These issues have led to widespread distrust, with many believing they are being overcharged.

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Money was deducted from me even though there was no money on the card, so I became a debtor.

To address these concerns, Bekzhan Akmatbekov, deputy director of the "Tulpar" project, offered a demonstration. He explained that within a 60-minute window, up to four free transfers are permitted when using the "Tulpar" card. However, this feature is not available on express routes. Akmatbekov stressed that passengers should focus solely on their card's actual balance, as the displayed trip history can be misleading. He noted that while the balance remains correct, the system's processing time for transfers can cause discrepancies in the recorded trip history, leading to confusion.

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You just need to look at the actual balance.