Eco-taxis in Kyzylorda: a sustainable transportation option or a financial miscalculation?

However, it has now been revealed that the taxi transportation services for the municipal enterprise of Kyzylorda are not authorized, reports inbusiness.kz.

Eco-friendly but not economical?

Last year, a service called eco-taxi was established based on the LLP "Bus Park Kyzylorda" (APK). They purchased 100 electric vehicles manufactured in China for a total of 1.1 billion tenge.

During the eco-taxi presentation, the director of LLP "Bus Park Kyzylorda", Abdibakir Mashtaev, stated that the primary goal of introducing electric vehicles was to improve the environmental situation as part of the "Taza Kazakhstan" program.

"The difference between these taxis and other cars is that they do not harm the environment. They run on electricity. They are equipped with modern technology. The charge lasts for 460 km. Charging stations are located in 8 places around the city," the speaker said at that time.

In response to media questions, he mentioned that the salary for eco-taxi drivers is 110,000 tenge.

He also indicated that if the eco-taxi concept proves successful, the number of vehicles could increase.

"Our cars are of the 'comfort plus' level, but they will transport the public at 'economy' prices," Mashtaev replied when asked about the cost of a ride.

By the way, the batteries of the electric vehicles are designed for 5 years of operation.

According to the regional department of passenger transport and roads, there are about 700-800 vehicles operating in the taxi sector of Kyzylorda.

The head of the Kyzylorda regional consumer rights protection society, Serik Tenizbaev, stated that the total number of taxi drivers in the city could reach 5,000 people.

"The activities of LLP 'Bus Park Kyzylorda' are regulated by government resolution No. 1095 dated December 28, 2015, which clearly outlines the list of permitted types of activities. Providing taxi services is not included in this list. Consequently, the enterprise initially did not have the right to purchase these vehicles. Moreover, private taxi drivers acquire cars and provide services without state funding," he stated.

Response from the antimonopoly agency

To clarify the legality of the initiative, the public figure sent a request to the agency for the protection and development of competition of the Republic of Kazakhstan (AZRK).

"The response from the AZRK department for the Kyzylorda region arrived only on December 27, 2024. Specialists spent three months analyzing the situation. Ultimately, it was confirmed that this type of activity was not approved, and therefore, it is illegal," Tenizbaev explained.

Additionally, he noted that Kyzylorda does not face the pollution problems typical of large megacities like Almaty.

"If the government genuinely wanted to support the environment, it would be more logical to provide subsidies and low-interest loans to citizens so they could purchase electric vehicles. Buying 100 cars with budget funds does not significantly impact the situation. Especially since our Kyzylorda heat and power plant operates on gas, meaning the electricity for these cars is generated with low efficiency," he added.

What will happen next?

According to the law on state property, if a state enterprise has received illegal income, it must be returned to the republican budget.

"Now, AZRK will transfer the documents to the competent authorities. They must determine the income received by LLP 'Bus Park Kyzylorda' from the eco-taxi and return it to the treasury," Tenizbaev clarified.