Kyrgyzstan's Bishkek proposes limiting personal cars amid traffic crisis

Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is grappling with severe traffic congestion, prompting a proposal to limit the use of personal vehicles. The city's infrastructure was originally designed to accommodate around 50,000 vehicles, but the current registered number has surged past 400,000. This figure is further exacerbated by vehicles entering the city daily from surrounding regions. The municipal administration notes that expanding the road network is severely limited by existing urban development, the high cost of land acquisition, and the need to relocate utility infrastructure. Consequently, significantly increasing the capacity of current roads in the short term is deemed practically impossible. To encourage public transport use, Bishkek is acquiring new buses and electric buses. Approximately 1,300 public transport vehicles operate daily, serving around 800,000 passengers. Despite these efforts, a significant imbalance persists, with over 500,000 of the city's 1.5 million residents relying on personal vehicles. The current situation necessitates a shift towards a new transport policy that prioritizes public transport and gradually restricts personal vehicle usage, especially in congested areas. City officials highlight that a substantial portion of residents spend over two hours commuting daily, impacting quality of life, increasing social tension, and reducing time for family and personal development. Moreover, traffic jams contribute to increased air pollution, negatively affecting public health and the environment. In response, the city proposes urgent state-level measures to reduce traffic, promote public transport, and curb the growth of individual vehicle use in busy districts. The proposed presidential decree includes establishing an interdepartmental task force, developing a comprehensive action plan for 2026-2030, implementing special traffic management systems, improving traffic flow control, and enhancing road infrastructure.

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The current situation requires a transition to a new transport policy based on the priority use of public transport and the gradual restriction of personal vehicle use, especially in congested areas of the city.