Why is this important
Train delays directly affect passengers’ plans, especially on intercity routes where arrival times are tied to transfers, work, or meetings. The lack of a clear compensation system left passengers without a defined mechanism to protect their rights. Introducing such payments sets stricter requirements for carriers and increases accountability for adhering to schedules. It also creates more equal conditions for all types of trains, not just high-speed ones.
What happened
- The Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan plans to introduce monetary compensation for passengers in case of train delays.
- The initiative is being discussed following appeals from the Competition Committee, which recorded a rise in complaints about schedule violations.
- The committee submitted a proposal to amend transportation rules, and the Ministry of Transport announced that a new version of the regulations is being developed, which provides for compensation for both high-speed and regular trains.
Numbers and facts
- In 2025, the Competition Committee received 51 complaints related to violations of passenger train schedules.
- A separate case concerned regular delays of “Sharq” trains on the Tashkent — Bukhara route, where delays ranged from 40 minutes to one hour.
- Under current regulations, compensation is предусмотрена only for high-speed Afrosiyob trains.
The new compensation system will depend on the duration of the delay and will be calculated based on the ticket and berth cost:
- from 15 to 30 minutes — 15%;
- from 31 to 60 minutes — 25%;
- from 61 to 120 minutes — 50%;
- from 121 minutes and more — 100% of the trip cost.
Context
- For passengers, a clear mechanism for partial refunds in case of schedule disruptions will be introduced, reducing the risk of losing time and money.
- Carriers will have to take into account the financial consequences of delays, which may encourage improved operational discipline.
- Extending compensation to regular trains makes the rules more consistent across all categories of passengers.
- For regulators, this represents a step toward strengthening quality control in transport services and the practical enforcement of consumer protection laws.
