New public transport fares that came into effect in Tashkent on Oct. 1 will help cover part of the cost of carrying passengers by bus and metro, the Tashkent Mayor Shavkat Umrzakov said.

He said the fare increase was driven by higher energy costs, the renewal of the bus fleet, the launch of new routes and the development of the metro network.

Umrzakov stressed that the higher fares do not mean the full cost of maintaining public transport will be shifted onto passengers. He said keeping fares at their previous level could create financial difficulties for the transport system, including meeting obligations to banks related to bus purchases.

So far, 1,200 buses have been purchased for Tashkent. At the same time, work is continuing to expand the metro network and build new routes.

The Tashkent city administration and the Transport Ministry are also working to reduce bus fleet operating costs and improve transport efficiency. The Road Traffic Management Center is taking measures to increase the efficiency of passenger services and reduce operational and financial burdens.

The measures are intended to help prevent the need for further fare increases in the future.