As previously reported by Spot, starting from January 1, 2025, cash payments will be completely eliminated on buses in Tashkent, with all fares to be paid electronically.
Later, the Ministry of Justice and the National Information Agency of Uzbekistan (UzA) announced that "passengers who pay their fares in cash will now be fined."
According to Salimjon Nishonboev, an inspector from the Tashkent Transport Supervision Department, raids have been conducted since the beginning of the year to identify cases of cash payments. If a passenger attempts to pay in cash, the driver is not allowed to accept the money.
“If the violation is the passenger's fault, they will receive a warning. In the case of repeated violations, an administrative protocol will be issued against both the driver and the passenger. The fine for the passenger will amount to 10% of the BRV, which is 37,500 sums,” Nishonboev reported.
The Ministry of Transport deemed the statements regarding fines for passengers, circulated by the media based on claims, as unfounded.
The official statement clarifies that according to Article 144 of the Administrative Offenses Code, a fine of 10% of the BRV (37,500 sums) is imposed for fare evasion.
The Position of “Toshshahartranskhizmat”
The spokesperson for “Toshshahartranskhizmat,” Muslima Obidova, told Spot that on January 7, inaccurate information regarding fines for cash payments on city buses was spread in the media. Starting in 2025, there will be no option for cash payment on buses, as there will be no conductors, and drivers will not accept cash.
“If passengers have not purchased a one-time ticket with a QR code at an info kiosk or have not paid electronically, during inspections, transport inspectors have the right to hold citizens accountable under Article 144 of the Administrative Offenses Code. However, currently, fines are not being issued, and inspectors are conducting educational work with passengers,” she noted.
Moreover, Muslima Obidova emphasized that the shift away from cash payments for bus fares and the increase in the cost of one-time tickets with QR codes to 3,000 sums aim for digitalization, and she also listed other payment methods, including bank cards and online payment services.
Earlier, Spot reported that fines for driving in bus lanes are planned to be introduced in Uzbekistan.