Published
08/28/2025, 13:49Today, 28 August, the grand opening of DEPO-2 for electric buses took place in the capital. Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Zhaparov took part in the event.
The renovated depot is the first comprehensive infrastructure facility specially equipped to service electric transport. It provides facilities for charging, technical inspection and repair of electric buses in one place.
«Every day, hundreds of thousands of city residents use public transport to get to work and back home. The state has identified the development of public transport as one of its priorities to improve the daily commute for residents of the capital and create comfortable conditions. Over the past two years, we have purchased more than 1,000 gas-powered buses. In addition, more and more buses are being purchased in the city. However, nowadays, not only transport but also environmental problems are becoming more acute. Along with improving public transport for city residents, clean air is also important», — said the president, noting that modern solutions such as environmentally friendly transport are a responsibility for the future.
According to the mayor's office, 126 electric buses have already arrived in Bishkek and will be put into service in the near future. Previously, trolleybuses were serviced at DEPO-2, but no major repairs had been carried out there for 54 years. Now the buildings and engineering communications have been completely renovated.
The reconstruction affected not only DEPO-2, but also DEPO-1. The total cost of the project was $50 million, of which $25 million was provided by the Asian Development Bank in the form of a grant, and another $25 million was a loan with a grace period of 12 years.
Previously, 143 trolleybuses were serviced at the two depots, but only about 100 were put into service. Now all 120 electric buses will be operating on the lines. Eighty-five charging stations have been installed for them. One bus can travel from 280 to 340 km without recharging. Each vehicle is 12 metres long and equipped with air conditioning and three doors. The service life of the vehicles is at least seven years.
The electric buses are equipped for people with disabilities and parents with prams.
The city council also noted that the purchase of 120 electric buses saved $9 million, which will be used to purchase additional 7-metre-long vehicles to serve new areas connected to Bishkek. The depot will operate in test mode for a month.
Bishkek Mayor Aibek Junushaliyev said that drivers are currently being recruited.
«We have a mechanism for blacklisting offenders. Currently, there are about 580 people on it — drivers who have committed malicious violations of traffic rules. At the same time, we continue to select qualified personnel. If there are professionals, we are ready to consider their candidacies. The salary ranges from 50 to 100 thousand soms», — the mayor noted.
