Dushanbe, Tajikistan: The capital city of Tajikistan– Dushanbe will have new public transport system from tomorrow April 15, 2017, reports Dispatch News Desk (DND) news agency.
As many as 40 large-capacity buses manufactured by Turkish firm Andalou Isuzu reached Dushanbe on April 12 and would run on city roads from April 15.
The procurement of new buses is the initiative of new Mayor of capital Rustam Emomali who is son of President Emomali Rahmon. Another badge of 25 buses would be added by midsummer. The total cost of buying buses is around 3.4 million euros to provide a better public transport to people of capital.
It may be mentioned that the Hyundai Starex and Mercedes Sprinter minibuses would be taken off the system because these buses are considered as hazard to environment. Over 3,000 such minibuses are privately owned but pay taxes to state authorities.
Dushanbe lacks public transport system and residents of capital have little options including “three somoni” taxis system. Three somoni is shared taxis system being operated like buses and running on established routes around the center of the city and charging people three somoni ($0.35) per ride. However, majority of these taxis are not properly licensed and police is always after them.
There are reports that three somoni taxies would be taken off from roads by state authorities soon fearing unemployment to over 20,000 drivers linked with this business.
