Deputy says 500-tenge bus fare doesn’t match Kazakh citizens’ incomes

Tengrinews.kz – Kazakh citizens have been actively discussing a blogger’s proposal that bus fares in Astana and Almaty should cost 500 tenge. Amid the debate, Mazhilis deputy Nikita Shatalov shared his position

Shatalov said the suggested fare “does not reflect Kazakh reality” as it does not correspond to the population’s income levels.

“Public transport worldwide is subsidized. It is called public because it serves the masses. The prices mentioned have no relation to the real incomes of Kazakh citizens,” Shatalov said during a media briefing at the Mazhilis.

The deputy noted that subsidy schemes can differ by region. Using Almaty as an example, he explained that some routes are relatively profitable, while others—due to distance, difficult terrain, or low passenger flow—may cost up to 1,500 tenge per ride, such as in mountain areas. In these cases, cross-subsidization is applied, which is completely normal, he added.

Shatalov emphasized that local executive bodies and maslikhats are responsible for organizing and approving public transport subsidy budgets.

“Each situation must be considered individually, because cities differ and public transport operates differently,” the deputy concluded.

Previously, Shatalov described the discussion about the fare as “false and unworthy of attention” on his Telegram channel.

“Public transport exists not for profit, but for citizens. It reduces car usage, improves connectivity between districts, and affects productivity and quality of life. The subsidized losses of transport create public benefit,” he noted.

He added that attempts to extract profit from institutions such as transport, education, or healthcare “do not make them more efficient—they only deepen inequality.”