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Construction of the highly anticipated "super bus stops" near Almaty's Sayakhat bus station is once again facing significant delays. The ambitious project، initially slated for completion in 2025، has seen its deadlines pushed back multiple times، leaving residents and commuters waiting.

Extended Timelines and Shifting Deadlines

Work on these modern transport hubs has been ongoing for over a year، having commenced in early 2025. Authorities had initially promised completion by the third quarter of that year، but these timelines have repeatedly been revised. The deadline was first moved to December 31، 2025، and then to February 2026. As of late March، construction remained unfinished، with the official handover date removed from the project passport and a new target of April mentioned by the city administration. By the end of May، this crucial connection point for the city and its agglomeration remained incomplete.

New Completion Date and Contractor Penalties

According to the Almaty City Department for the Development of Road Infrastructure، approximately 90 percent of the project is now complete. The latest projected completion date is set for June 2026. Importantly، the contractor will be charged daily penalties for falling behind schedule. The department confirmed that the general contractor has delayed construction and installation work beyond the established timeline، thus incurring fines as per the contract terms. The contractor has been urged to accelerate the pace of work، with the facility's full operational launch now planned for this June.

Project Scope Adjustments

It's worth noting that one of the originally planned "super bus stops" has been removed from the project altogether. The initial plan included four locations: "Konaev،" the "Merey" shopping center، "Pushkin،" and the "Sayakhat" bus station. However، the pavilion near the shopping center was removed to "optimize the project and align with the current transport scheme."

Cost of the "Super Bus Stops"

The total cost for the three remaining pavilions near Sayakhat bus station amounts to 1 billion 658 million tenge، averaging over 550 million tenge per "super bus stop." This makes them significantly more expensive than other similar infrastructure projects in the city.

Current State of Construction

A site inspection on May 22 revealed varying stages of progress. At the "Pushkin" stop، work was progressing rapidly، with asphalt paving completed and tiling underway beneath a 50-meter canopy. Engineering communications were being installed، and sidewalks were being prepared. However، traffic and pedestrian movement between Pushkin and Yesenov streets remain restricted.

Near the "Sayakhat" bus station، workers were installing the 50-meter canopy and laying tiles on the platform. Pallets of tactile tiles were prepared along the sidewalk edge، but construction was ongoing. Large piles of soil were also present near the complex.

The "Konaev" complex appeared to be the most developed، with hundreds of passengers using it daily. Passengers can find shelter from the elements، and suburban buses stop directly there. However، reporters did not observe any interactive information boards about routes، as promised by the city administration.

Background on the "Super Stops"

These distinctive transport hubs، designed to regulate the movement of city and suburban buses، were first noticed by Almaty residents in early 2023. The city administration explained that these facilities would be part of the future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) infrastructure. The stops were intended to serve up to 63 routes and handle a significant influx of passengers from the agglomeration.

Each stop was planned to feature a 50-meter canopy capable of simultaneously boarding and alighting six buses. Similar "super bus stops" have since appeared in other parts of the city، such as Kalkaman and near the "Salem" market، and have been put into operation، unlike the delayed complex near Sayakhat bus station.

Contractor's Track Record

The construction of the transport hub near Sayakhat bus station is being handled by "Golden City DS" LLP. This same contractor has faced criticism for delays on other projects، including the construction of pedestrian bridges over the Esentai River on Al-Farabi Avenue، which began in 2023 with a budget exceeding 2 billion tenge. While the main bridge was completed in September 2023، the pedestrian bridges remain unfinished. Deadlines for these bridges have been repeatedly postponed، from the end of 2023 to December 2024، and then to May-June 2025. As of December 18، 2025، the southern pedestrian bridge was reported as completed with landscaping underway، while the northern bridge is slated for completion by June 2026. Assurances were given that measures would be taken against the contractor in accordance with public procurement contract terms for any deviations from the schedule.

The construction of the transport and bus stop complexes near the Sayakhat bus station is once again experiencing delays، with the project، planned for completion in 2025، still unfinished. The editorial team will continue to monitor developments.

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