Bishkek residents swelter as heat grips city buses; AC units to be installed

Residents of Bishkek are once again voicing strong complaints about the unbearable heat inside municipal buses, describing their commutes as an ordeal. Passengers report that temperatures within the bus cabins can soar to 42 degrees Celsius during peak hours, turning public transport into a sweltering experience.

Social media platforms have become a space for citizens to express their frustration, often with ironic "thanks" to the mayor's office for the perceived lack of comfort, accompanied by photos of thermometers showing the high temperatures. This recurring issue highlights a significant gap between passenger expectations and the current state of public transportation infrastructure.

In response to the persistent problem, the Bishkek City Transport municipal enterprise has launched a tender to procure and install 300 air conditioning units for its Zhongtong buses. The tender details indicate that bids were accepted until June 22, with the selected contractor given 60 calendar days post-contract signing to supply and install the equipment.

However, the timeline suggests that even with strict adherence to deadlines, the majority of buses may not be equipped with air conditioning until the end of summer or the beginning of autumn. This timing means that the peak heat season might pass before the cooling solutions are fully implemented. The technical specifications require roof-mounted air conditioners capable of maintaining a comfortable cabin temperature for up to 90 passengers, even when outside temperatures reach +40 degrees Celsius, and also include cooling for the driver's area.