Almaty's 100 Billion Tenge Bus Plan: Is it Worth the Cost?

Almaty's 100 Billion Tenge Bus Renewal Project: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Almaty, Kazakhstan is undertaking a significant upgrade to its public transportation system, allocating 100 billion tenge for the renewal of its bus fleet. This initiative, while ambitious, has sparked debate about its cost-effectiveness. Factcheck.kz, a leading fact-checking organization in Central Asia, recently released a video analyzing the financial aspects of the project. The video details the costs associated with purchasing new buses of varying sizes. For instance, 320 twelve-meter buses would cost 33 billion tenge, while 50 eighteen-meter buses would cost 8 billion tenge. The total cost for a combination of buses considered in the video comes to 64.5 billion tenge. This raises questions about the overall allocation of the 100 billion tenge budget. Adding to the complexity, Timur Eliusov, a deputy of the Almaty City Maslihat, expressed concerns in an interview with Azattyq Radio about the efficiency of the spending. He questioned whether purchasing entirely new buses was the most cost-effective solution, suggesting that repairing existing buses might be a more prudent approach. "I question the necessity of purchasing 600 new buses at once," Eliusov stated, "when repairing the existing fleet might be a more financially responsible option." The video also highlights the additional cost of 75 million tenge spent on securing five hectares of land for storing the 1123 buses that have been removed from service. This raises concerns about the overall planning and management of the project. The Almaty city administration is expected to respond to these concerns and clarify the allocation of the remaining budget. The transparent and efficient use of public funds remains crucial for the success of this vital public transportation upgrade.