Tolls on BAKAD to double: new rates announced

Tolls on the Big Almaty Ring Road (BAKAD) are set to double, according to an order signed by Acting Minister of Transport Maksat Kaliakparov. The new rates will take effect 10 calendar days after the order's first official publication.

The cost for a single trip for passenger cars will increase to 605.5 tenge (0.14 MCI). Rates for buses and trucks will also see significant increases, ranging from 692 tenge (0.16 MCI) for smaller buses and trucks to 1,903 tenge (0.44 MCI) for heavy trucks and those with trailers. The Monthly Calculation Index (MCI) for 2026 is set at 4,325 tenge. Notably, the prices for monthly and annual passes will remain unchanged.

A 50 percent discount will be offered in two scenarios: for pre-payment, where funds are credited to a personal or vehicle account before entering the toll section, and for post-payment, provided the driver pays within seven working days of the trip being recorded. After this grace period, the discount will no longer apply.

The BAKAD, a 66-kilometer toll bypass around Almaty, opened in June 2023. It aims to divert transit traffic away from the city center and reduce congestion on urban roads. The highway features six lanes for most of its length. It operates on an open toll system, with passage recorded by overhead gantries and cameras. Initial tolls for passenger cars were 0.07 MCI, with other categories ranging from 0.12 to 0.72 MCI.