Public transport fares have risen 37 to 50 percent in the regions of Tajikistan amid gasoline and liquefied natural gas (LNG) price hike, according to the State Unitary Enterprise (SUE) Automobile Transport and Logistics Service at the Ministry of Transport.
A source at the SUE Automobile Transport and Logistics Service says new fares that have risen due to rising prices for fuel and spare parts have been coordinated with the Antimonopoly Agency.
“The new tariffs signed by the minister on July 27 have been sent to the executive bodies of cities and districts, and it is now up to them to decide whether to accept such tariffs or not,” the source noted.
He further added that “The executive bodies of cities and districts may not accept these tariffs, but in this case, they will have to pay excess transportation costs through subsidies or supplementary funds.”
It is to be noted that the shared minivan and express bus fares have also risen.
As far as public transport fares in Dushanbe are concerned, they are set by the Dushanbe Administration in an agreement with Antimonopoly Agency.
A source at the Dushanbe Public Transport Service (Dushanbekhadamotnaqliyot), says they issue of raising public transport fares is still under consideration and so far there have been no orders on this subject.
“The 30th anniversary of Tajikistan’s Independence is approaching, and before this holiday the public transport fares in the capital will not rise. And maybe even after that the public transport fares will not rise in Dushanbe,” the source added.
It is to be noted that over the first seven months of this year, gasoline has risen in price more than all other goods in Tajikistan.
Current average price of one liter of gasoline in Tajikistan is 10.15 somonis, fluctuating from 9.8 somonis to 10.20 somonis, depending on the region.
Current average price for one liter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the country is 7.45 somonis, fluctuating from 7.00 somonis to 7.70 somonis, depending on the region.