The mayor of Almaty finds flaws in the city's public transportation system.
Akims of Almaty, Darkhan Satybaldy, Don't Fool Around with Public Transport Chaos
Almaty's city boss, Darkhan Satybaldy, isn't messing around when it comes to fixing the city's public transport mess. The mayor hops around town and spots buses lined up at one stop like an asshole line at a bar. He's sick of it and wants action, damn it!
Satybaldy gave the lowdown on his plan of attack. He wants to see timely service, no more jibber-jabber, and we mean it. This includes strengthening control over buses, trolleybuses, and metro trains sticking to their schedules, modernizing the dispatch system, boosting operator responsibility, and making sure the Onay application runs like a well-oiled machine.
Digital fare payment cards as an alternative to old-fashioned credit cards should be accessible to all citizens, Satybaldy stressed.
Currently, an estimated 455 million trips are taken on public transport in Almaty every year, with the city doling out 4.4 million Onay cards, including 1.3 million subsidized ones. A digital card can be nabbed through the Onay mobile app.
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Darkhan Satybaldy has been kickin' ass on several fronts to improve Almaty's public transport system. Priority items include schedule adherence, upgrading the dispatch system, holding operators accountable, and stabilizing the Onay app.
- Turning Up the Punctuality: Enhancing on-time reliability for public transport is the name of the game, increasing commuter satisfaction and boosting efficiency. This entails tightening the screws and keeping those buses rolling on schedule.
- Upgrading the Dispatch System: Modernizing the dispatch system means better command and control over Almaty's public transport fleet. This includes digital tracking and communication upgrades, aimed at optimizing route management and reducing delays.
- Keeping Operators Honest: Expect tougher regulations, monitoring, and better training to increase accountability from public transport operators. The goal is to raise service quality and ensure safety for riders.
- Stabilizing the Onay App: The Onay app, a tool citizens use for transport-related services like ride schedules and payments, is getting an upgrade to provide a seamless user experience.
Though specifics on these initiatives haven't been spelled out yet, Satybaldy's spotlight on public transport aligns with broader improvement goals across Kazakhstan. Appointed as Akim in May 2025, Satybaldy has the know-how to drive transport improvements with modern technology and operational standards[4].
Additional context shows a city-wide push towards modernization and sustainability, aiding Satybaldy's efforts to overhaul Almaty's public transport systems. In a nutshell, Satybaldy's initiatives aim to:
- Enforce stricter adherence to schedules.
- Upgrade the dispatch system for better coordination.
- Increase operator accountability to raise service standards.
- Stabilize and improve the Onay app for user convenience.
These initiatives aim to enhance the quality, efficiency, and user experience of Almaty’s public transportation network.
- To ensure that public transportation in Almaty is reliable and efficient, Darkhan Satybaldy plans to focus on strengthening control over buses, trolleybuses, and metro trains, adhering to their schedules, and boosting the Onay application's performance, which is crucial for digital fare payment cards in the finance industry.
- With the aim to modernize the public-transit system, Darkhan Satybaldy plans to upgrade the dispatch system for better control and communication, and improve the Onay application to enhance user experience, streamlining the process of transportation and finance for Almaty's citizens.
