It is planned to introduce a bus rapid transit system (metrobus) in Bishkek, Information Policy Adviser to the Mayor of Bishkek, Gulya Almambetova, announced.
According to her, the main difference of metrobuses is that they move along a dedicated lane.
“The lane forms a complete line without breaks, and the entrance and exit take place through special terminals,” she said.
The City Administration believes that this will allow passengers to travel from one point to another without stops and will reduce traffic in the city center. The interval of movement will be 2-3 minutes.
According to Gulya Almambetova, a part of the capital’s streets already has two lanes.
The City Administration plans to launch the new system in 2019. It did not voice the cost of travel in the metrobuses.
“Tariff policy is at the development stage. Then we will submit the proposals to the members of the Bishkek City Council, only they can issue a decree on tariffs change,” Almambetova said.
At the first stage, it is planned to open a route from the 12th microdistrict along the Southern Highway, then along Zhukeev-Pudovkin to Ibraimov Street and further along Toktogul Street to Fuchik Street.
According to the head of the municipal transport department, Hasanbek Alimbekov, such a system will gradually free the city center from the minibuses. (24.kg/Business World Magazine)