The editorial team of Kaktus.media decided to check the situation on-site, but the journey to the final stop turned out to be quite long. We spent about 45 minutes waiting at the stop near the Alamedin market but did not wait for the bus. As a result, we took a taxi to the final stop, costing 394 soms, and we were jolted significantly on some sections of the road.
Condition of the 71st Bus Final Stop
Upon arriving at the final stop, we saw that it was in complete disarray—pure mud, where any vehicle could get stuck. There were no signs or shelters to protect passengers from the weather. The roads leading to the final stop are in a deplorable state throughout the entire route, except for the last one and a half kilometers, where there is at least some asphalt coverage.When the bus finally arrived at the final stop, we spoke with the driver, who mentioned that there are only four buses operating on the line. On weekends, they do not run because passenger traffic significantly decreases—schoolchildren do not travel, and fuel costs do not justify the trips.
Road and Driver Issues
According to the driver, it has become extremely difficult to navigate these broken streets. Some sections of the road resemble "shale". Repairs are occasionally made, but only in a patchy manner.The driver noted that while trying to avoid one pothole, he invariably ended up in another. "The shaking in the bus is such that it feels like the windows are about to shatter, and the vehicle's suspension suffers. I would really like the roads to be repaired," he added, noting that in case of a breakdown, he would have to pay for repairs out of his own pocket. For example, replacing a window could cost 25,000 soms, and in such conditions, breakdowns are inevitable.
Dangerous Pothole Near the School
Pothole problems are observed not only on the road but also in places where passengers, including children, wait. Near School No. 110, students wait for their 71 bus right by a dangerous pothole. One girl, according to witnesses, fell into it two weeks ago, but she did not file a report, and the pothole has not been closed. It continues to pose a danger to pedestrians.
It is important to note that there is a shortage of public transport in Bishkek: in the morning and evening, people are forced to travel in overcrowded buses, some of which operate on broken roads. This significantly shortens the lifespan of the buses, and according to data from the State Traffic Safety Department, the condition of the roads is one of the main causes of accidents.
Response from the Bishkek City Administration
The press service of the city administration reported that the final stop of the 71st bus is located in the territory of the Dostuk rural municipality of the Alamudun district. The road leading to the village of Sadovoe passes through an enclave of the Alamudun district (400 meters), and these roads also belong to the Dostuk rural municipality. In turn, MTU No. 306 has conducted gravel filling and grading of the road."The final stop does not belong to the city. As reported by the Municipal Enterprise 'Bishkek City Transport', route No. 71 is organized from the village of Sadovoe to the CHPP, and on weekdays, 3-4 buses operate on the line. The route does not function on weekends due to low passenger traffic and the absence of schoolchildren. This route was launched at the request of the residents of the village of Sadovoe, and initially, two buses were allocated for the line, which was later increased to four," the statement said.
