The Astana city administration has announced the approval of a new public transport fare of 150 tenge, proposed to take effect from December 1, according to infohub.kz.
The administration noted that the current fare of 90 tenge was set in 2014. Over the past 12 years, the fare has been revised only once and now stands at 110 tenge.
It emphasized that since 2014, carriers' main costs have risen significantly: fuel, spare parts, new buses, and driver wages. In 2014, diesel fuel cost about 107 tenge per liter, while it now costs 329 tenge. According to estimates, the price of diesel fuel has more than tripled over this period.
In addition, the administration noted that driver labor costs have increased substantially. If in 2014 drivers' wages averaged around 100,000–150,000 tenge, they now start at 700,000 tenge depending on the bus class and work schedule.
Over the same period, the cost of spare parts, tires, batteries, bus maintenance and repair, as well as the purchase of new rolling stock, has risen considerably.
"Despite the significant increase in operating costs, the capital continues to systematically renew and develop public transport. Over the past three years, carriers have purchased 1,127 new vehicles that meet modern safety, comfort, and environmental standards. At the same time, Astana maintains existing social support measures. In accordance with decision No. 244/30-VI of the Astana Maslikhat dated March 29, 2018, certain categories of citizens are provided social assistance in the form of free travel on city passenger transport," the statement reads.
The right to free travel is granted to the following categories of citizens: participants and disabled veterans of the Great Patriotic War and persons equated to them; old-age and long-service pensioners, as well as recipients of state social benefits for old age and loss of breadwinner who have reached retirement age; mothers with many children; large families; disabled persons; disabled children under eighteen, including one parent (legal representative); victims of political repression among participants in the events of December 17–18, 1986 in Kazakhstan, rehabilitated in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On the Rehabilitation of Victims of Mass Political Repressions."
Furthermore, since March 2020, free travel has been available for children under 18 studying in Astana.
"However, according to calculations made in accordance with the Methodology for Calculating Tariffs for the Transportation of Passengers and Baggage by Road Transport, in 2026 the average estimated cost of one trip will significantly exceed the current fare. Due to rising operating costs, the need to ensure stable public transport operations, further renewal of the bus fleet, and development of the route network, from December 1 it is proposed to set the fare for cashless payment at 150 tenge," the administration said.