Ticket prices are rising, and railway officials attribute this to market economics.
According to the new tariffs, tickets for the "Afrosiab" train will increase by 25%, while tickets for the "Uzbekistan," "Shark," and "Nasaf" trains will rise by 30%. The cost of tickets for passenger trains (with sleeper seats) will go up by 10.5%.
Over the past two years, the cost of travel on the "Afrosiab" has increased by at least 200%. Following the cancellation of state regulation of tariffs, four "Afrosiab" trains will operate on a self-sustaining basis starting January 1, 2024.
A representative of the company responsible for "Afrosiab," Shahzod Muminov, compared prices with those in other countries. For example, in South Korea, a ticket for a distance of 300 km between Seoul and Busan on a high-speed train costs $27, while the price for a similar distance between Tashkent and Samarkand is $19. However, the income levels of the populations in the two countries differ significantly, making such comparisons inappropriate.
Before the interview, Kun.uz sought the opinion of the public, who actively use the railway. Unsurprisingly, the majority opposed the price increase. However, in a survey conducted by the railway workers, 90% of "Afrosiab" passengers reportedly reacted positively to the fare hike and even suggested increasing prices further.
Railway Monopoly
The railway sector in Uzbekistan remains a monopoly, despite officials' claims to the contrary. Industry representatives assert that the system consists of several companies operating in various directions. However, public activist Umid Gafurov believes that these companies are essentially part of the same structure, referring to them as "children of one mother."
According to the deputy general director of JSC "Uztemiryulovchi," Fozil Sharipov, the market is open to entrepreneurs, and any businessman can submit their proposals. However, to date, no one has come forward with such initiatives. Umid Gafurov attributes this to the lack of transparency in information.
He emphasizes that access to open data regarding the system's income and expenses is a key factor for entrepreneurs. In 2021, the need for transformation and transparency in the sector was discussed, but since then, no significant changes have occurred.
Losses — by Default
According to railway representatives, the system concludes the financial year with losses because revenues do not cover expenses. The main reasons include loans, rising electricity prices, costs for technical inspections, infrastructure, capital repairs, and employee salaries.
For instance, loans for the purchase of "Afrosiab" trains will be repaid until 2035, after which the turn will come for Hyundai trains.
Prices Are Rising, But What About Quality?
According to a Kun.uz survey, passengers highly rate the cleanliness and quality of service on the "Afrosiab" trains. However, the situation on regular trains leaves much to be desired. Passengers note the need for improved sanitary conditions, enhanced service quality in line with rising ticket prices, and expanded amenities in the carriages.
Fozil Sharipov explains that the issue with cleanliness in the carriages is often related to the passengers themselves. "Before departure, the train is thoroughly cleaned; I personally check this. But after the passengers board, the condition of the carriages changes due to their behavior," he added.
The deputy director of "Uztemiryulovchi" spoke about efforts to maintain the cleanliness of the trains.
He stated that after completing a route, more than 200 people clean and prepare the trains for the next journey. The trains are then sent to the station, and during the trip, conductors monitor order. "I personally visit the factory, inspect the carriages, and check their cleaning. New carriages are in good condition, but there are carriages that have been in service for over 40 years. As they reach the end of their lifespan, we take them out of service," he shared.
The full interview is available on the Kun.uz YouTube channel.
Shokhrukh Majidzoda .