What will change from February 1?

Starting February 1, 2025, several legislative changes will take effect in Uzbekistan. Among the most notable is an increase in train ticket prices, as reported by QALAMPIR.UZ. Here’s a breakdown of the changes:

Train ticket price increases

From February 1, 2025, ticket prices for high-speed electric trains in Uzbekistan will rise. Specifically, the prices for VIP and Business class tickets on the "Afrosiyob" trains will increase by 25%, while Economy class tickets will go up by 20%. The prices for tickets on the high-speed passenger trains "Sharq," "Nasaf," and "Uzbekistan" will increase by 30%. 

For example, ticket prices for the "Afrosiyob" trains will be as follows:

- Tashkent to Samarkand:
  - Economy: 294,000 sums
  - Business: 450,000 sums
  - VIP: 619,000 sums

- Tashkent to Karshi:
  - Economy: 406,000 sums
  - Business: 634,000 sums
  - VIP: 854,000 sums

- Tashkent to Bukhara:
  - Economy: 484,000 sums
  - Business: 751,000 sums
  - VIP: 994,000 sums

These price hikes are being implemented to cover the growing costs of railway infrastructure, electricity, fuel, and transport, as well as to fund the purchase of new high-speed electric trains and the renewal of passenger car fleets. The goal is to upgrade railway stations to modern standards and improve the overall quality of service for passengers.

In addition to these increases, ticket prices for local (sleeping) passenger trains will rise by 10.5%. According to Uzbekistan Railways, this adjustment will help fund the renewal of the fleet and ensure that railway stations meet modern requirements, all while continuing to provide quality service to passengers.

Scholarships for vocational training

As part of the Presidential Decree “On Measures to Ensure Employment and Reduce Poverty in 2025,” significant initiatives will be introduced in Uzbekistan starting February 1, 2025. Here’s an overview of the key changes:

- From February 1, scholarships will be provided for vocational training to individuals with disabilities and unemployed members of families registered as poor. These individuals, who enroll in training courses lasting more than three months, will receive financial support to help cover their educational expenses.

- Additionally, by May 1, 2025, a voucher system will be introduced to assist with the costs of vocational training for the unemployed population, with a focus on poor families. This voucher system will be initially tested in the Samarkand region and Tashkent city starting February 1, 2025.

Several projects aimed at boosting the motivation and initiative of poor family members to engage in work, including the “First Step to a Prosperous Life” and “Trust” projects, as well as the “Poverty Reduction through Education” program, will also be implemented in neighborhoods.

Automated attendance in kindergartens

A new system for automated attendance will be introduced in kindergartens beginning February 1, 2025, on a trial basis in Tashkent. By July 1, 2025, this system will be rolled out nationwide in all state kindergartens. The “Kindergarten” information system will track employees' and students’ attendance, working hours, and the accounting of food expenses for students.

The Ministry of Preschool and School Education will manage the system, which will also handle tasks like accounting for vacancies, placing children in queues, and managing referrals for kindergarten placements. 

The system will be maintained by “UZINFOCOM” LLC, and parents’ fees will contribute 2% towards covering the services provided. Additionally, the Ministry of Economy and Finance will allocate at least 50 billion sums from the state budget to equip kindergartens with tablets and other technology needed to implement biometric identification for attendance control.

These initiatives represent significant steps toward improving vocational training accessibility, reducing poverty, and modernizing the education system in Uzbekistan.

Increase in electric vehicle charging stations

Starting February 1, 2025, at least 5% of parking spaces in state institution projects, hotels, business centers, shopping and catering facilities, as well as infrastructure facilities along international and state highways, will be equipped with electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

Additionally, stations with a maximum capacity of 22 kW will be installed near apartment buildings, including in parking lots located near them. Target indicators have been set for the installation of these stations, with plans to place them in parking lots, social facilities, state institutions, shopping and business centers, catering establishments, hotels, and gas stations. 

Entrepreneurs will also have the option to install charging stations in parking lots of existing apartment buildings, as long as they comply with the capacity limits. This move is part of the country's efforts to support the transition to cleaner, more sustainable transportation.

Introduction of the “mothers' home” service

From February 1, 2025, the "Mothers' Home" service will be launched to provide temporary shelter and assistance to mothers in difficult life situations, including pregnant women who have lost support from close relatives. This service will offer mothers and their children (up to 4 years old) temporary shelter for up to one year under a social contract, with additional support from “Inson” social service centers to help them acquire professional skills.

Furthermore, starting March 1, 2025, single mothers (or fathers) who are officially employed and registered as part of low-income families will be eligible for financial assistance of up to 1.5 times the amount for each child to help cover preschool education costs until the child reaches the age of three.

These initiatives reflect Uzbekistan’s commitment to both environmental sustainability and providing critical social support to families facing hardship.

The requirement for a full family (husband and wife) to establish family-type orphanages will be abolished. Now, any citizen of Uzbekistan who has reached the age of 30 can establish such institutions. Additionally, children in need of social protection will only be placed in family care (foster care) with relatives, aiming to keep children in familiar environments where possible.

Under the new rules, “Inson” centers, which serve as legal representatives for orphans and children deprived of parental care, will be exempt from paying state duties when applying to the court to recover costs related to the child’s health restoration and rehabilitation. This change will facilitate smoother legal processes for ensuring the well-being of vulnerable children.

Targeted training for the unemployed population

In line with the Presidential Decree “On Measures to Ensure Employment and Reduce Poverty in 2025” adopted on January 17, 2025, the government will begin targeted training programs to help the unemployed gain relevant skills for in-demand jobs. Starting February 1, 2025, the Skill Centers under the Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Employment will offer training for professions that align with labor market needs, based on orders from employers and requests from commercial banks. 

These programs, funded by the State Fund for Employment Assistance, aim to provide participants with professional and entrepreneurial skills, thus supporting efforts to lift individuals out of poverty and reduce unemployment.

These initiatives mark a significant step in Uzbekistan’s efforts to provide better support to families in need, encourage entrepreneurship, and reduce poverty through targeted training and employment opportunities.