Client: Corporate Solutions (main client: EBRD)

Year: 2010

Khujand is the second largest city of the Republic of Tajikistan (in Central Asia) with a population of 158.300 in 2009. Concerning public transport, the services have been deteriorating in the past 15 years and the demand is met with only a basic level of service. Financed by EBRD, a study for the improvement of public transport in Khujand was undertaken.

As part of the international team that carried out this study, Balancia played a role in the first three phases of the project. In the Inception Report (issued by the team in April 2010), the results of data collection were presented. Furthermore, analysis of the existing situation and the current policies has been made and main shortcomings and problems of the public transport were identified. Up to now, public transport in Khujand is mainly served by more than 1500 mini buses (called Marshrutkas) with a capacity of 11-14 seats and a maximum capacity of 20 passengers. Public transport service is fully provided by private operators. However, competition on the basis of quality does not really exist.

Therefore, reviewing and reorganising the private minibus industry with the aim to improve the quality of public transport services and to reduce the negative impact of the large number of minibuses on road congestion, safety and environment, must be committed.

In the Inception Report, a framework for areas of improvement of public transport in Khujand was also proposed with the objective to establish an attractive, safe, efficient, affordable and sustainable public transport system. This will form a key starting point for the development of a new route network (phase 2) and a strategy for sustainable public transport (phase 3) in Khujand.

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