The cost of travel on the Eastern Bypass Road under construction in Bishkek has raised public questions. Blogger and civic activist Dmitry Luzhansky believes the announced toll of 500 som per trip is too high and proposes capping it at 350 som.
Comparison of tolls and cost-per-kilometer calculation
The activist set out his position on social media, comparing the projected cost of the future road with other toll routes. According to the calculations, at a trip cost of 500 som and a road length of 16.5 kilometers, each kilometer will cost a motorist about 30.3 som.
Cost calculation for the Eastern Bypass Road
Luzhansky compared this figure with other facilities: travel on the Uzgen bypass road, opened in December 2024, costs 200 som over a length of 13.5 kilometers, which is about 14.8 som per kilometer. He also noted that on Russian highways the toll is 5–6 rubles, while on the Uzgen bypass it is about 15 som per kilometer.
The activist's position on tolling
Emphasizing that he does not oppose the construction of the new road or the attraction of private investment, the activist considers it necessary to clarify the economic rationale for the toll. He said: "The city needs the road, and I am not against private investment. But I want to understand how the toll was calculated and how much the state invested. My view is no more than 350 som."
- The proposed toll of 350 som
- Is consistent with calculations based on comparison with other toll routes
Thus, according to the calculations, Bishkek's Eastern Bypass turns out to be roughly twice as expensive as the Uzgen bypass.
