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Almaty is rolling out a new payment system for its public transport, introducing 'Avtobys' as a second operator alongside the existing 'Onay' system. This move aims to modernize fare collection and provide better oversight of public transport subsidies.

Expanding Payment Options

The introduction of 'Avtobys' is not intended to replace the 'Onay' system but rather to complement it. City officials believe this dual-operator approach will offer valuable insights into passenger flow, route demand, and peak travel times. This data is crucial for effective urban mobility planning and the future development of the city's transport network.

Improving Subsidy Oversight

Almaty allocates significant funds to subsidize its bus fleet, with approximately 68.7 billion tenge earmarked for this purpose in 2023 and an estimated 97.3 billion tenge for 2024. The 'Avtobys' system will enable closer monitoring of every transaction, helping to accurately determine the actual costs incurred by transport companies. This increased transparency is expected to ensure a more justifiable allocation of public funds, especially considering the current fare of 120 tenge is below the actual cost of service.

Proven Success in Other Cities

The 'Avtobys' system, developed by Innoforce, has already been successfully implemented in other Kazakhstani cities, including Semey, Pavlodar, and Shymkent. In these locations, the system has reportedly led to an average increase of 25% in revenue for bus fleets and a 33% rise in tax revenues. Given Almaty's substantial subsidy amounts, 'Avtobys' is anticipated to foster improved financial relationships between the city and private transport operators.

Technological Advancements

Technologically, 'Avtobys' offers a more modern approach compared to 'Onay'. While 'Onay' primarily relies on physical cards and fixed validators, 'Avtobys' supports payments via smartphones, Bluetooth sensors, and QR codes. The city administration is confident that this innovation will stimulate competition and be evaluated based on user convenience and equipment reliability.

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