The editorial team of Kaktus.media decided to check the final stop of bus No. 71, and it turned out to be a real challenge. We waited for the bus at the Alamudinsky market stop for about 45 minutes but did not see it. In the end, we took a taxi to the final stop, paying 394 soms, and we were shaken up quite a bit on some sections of the road.
The Real Picture of the Final Stop of Bus No. 71
When we finally arrived, we saw that the final stop was a complete mess of mud, and any vehicle could get stuck there. There were no signs or shelters indicating that this was a stop. The broken roads are not only observed at the final stop but also along the entire route of bus No. 71, which passes through the former village of Sadovoe. Only the last one and a half kilometers of the road remain in somewhat decent condition.When one of the buses arrived at the final stop, we managed to talk to the driver. He said that only four buses are in service, and they do not operate on weekends because the routes are almost always empty—there are no schoolchildren. The driver noted that fuel costs do not justify the buses being on the road.
Road Conditions and Driver Difficulties
According to the driver, it is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate these streets. Some sections of the road resemble "shingle." Repairs are carried out only locally, not along the entire length of the road.When the driver tried to avoid one pothole, he invariably ended up in another, causing the bus to shake constantly. "The shaking creates the feeling that the windows in the cabin are about to crack, which has a very negative impact on the bus's suspension. It would be great if the roads were repaired," he shared, adding that in case of a breakdown, the repair costs would be his responsibility. For example, if a window cracks, it could cost about 25,000 soms, and under such conditions, the equipment cannot help but break down.
Dangerous Potholes Near the School
Potholes are present not only on the roadway but also in places where passengers, especially children, stand. Near School No. 110, kids wait for bus No. 71 next to a dangerous square pothole. According to passengers, two weeks ago, a girl about ten years old fell into it, but she did not file a complaint. The pothole is still not covered and continues to pose a threat to pedestrians.
