Almaty, 24 October. Almaty's commission on urban transport tariffs has approved subsidy calculations for carriers on more than 170 bus routes based on reduced planned figures: the number of buses going out on the routes has been cut by 20% on weekdays, 10% on Saturdays, 25% on Sundays and 35% on holidays, BES.media writes, having examined the minutes of the commission's meeting.
The planned number of round trips, a bus's full run along a route back to its starting point, has also been cut: by 10–20% on weekdays, 5–10% on Saturdays, 12.5–25% on Sundays and 17.5–35% on holidays. The changes therefore affect two figures at once: how many buses serve a route and how many trips they make in a day.
These figures determine how much the city pays carriers. Budget subsidies cover carriers' losses on socially important transport: fewer planned trips mean lower estimated costs for the city to compensate.
The minutes say the changes were made "taking into account international practice" and on the basis of a study by an audit and consulting firm. However, the explanatory note listed as Appendix No. 1 was not attached to the document. Nor do the minutes contain a table comparing the old and new numbers of buses and trips on each route, or say how much the budget will save. Meanwhile, according to the outlet, passengers continue to complain about overcrowded transport.
The minutes do not say how many buses and trips were cut, but they do name the basis: international practice.
What it means: Almaty will calculate subsidies for bus carriers on the basis of fewer trips. For passengers the key question, whether there will actually be fewer buses on the streets, is left unanswered by the minutes.
Who benefits: The city budget, potentially through lower payments to carriers; the commission does not name the savings. Carriers receive less compensation for the same costs. Passengers risk even less frequent and more crowded buses if the cuts affect actual trips and not just calculations.
Background: The review covered bus and trolleybus routes as well as routes with letter designations, more than 170 Almaty routes in all.
List of sources used: BES.media
Artificial intelligence was used in preparing this material.
