Ministry of Transport develops new compensation rules for domestic train delays

The Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan is currently developing new regulations that will require railway operators to provide monetary compensation to passengers for train delays on domestic routes. This mandatory requirement, which previously applied only to the high-speed Afrosiyob trains, is expected to be extended to all domestic passenger rail services, including both standard and fast trains.

The initiative follows an increase in consumer dissatisfaction regarding the punctuality of rail transport. According to the press service of the Committee for Competition Promotion and Consumer Protection, the agency received 51 formal complaints over the past year. These grievances specifically addressed significant deviations from established schedules, late departures, and delayed arrivals at destinations.

Upon reviewing the existing legal framework, the Committee discovered a regulatory gap: current documents lacked a defined procedure for compensating passengers when delays occur due to the fault of the carrier. In response, the Committee submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Transport to integrate a structured compensation system into the updated "Rules for the Carriage of Passengers, Baggage, and Cargo by Rail."

The proposed compensation tiers are based on the duration of the delay and apply to the total cost of the ticket. For a delay lasting between 15–30 minutes, passengers would be eligible for a 15% refund of the fare. This amount increases to 25% for delays of 31–60 minutes, and 50% for delays ranging from 61–120 minutes. Should a train be delayed by more than 121 minutes, the carrier will be required to provide a full 100% refund of the ticket price.

By implementing these changes, the Ministry aims to improve the accountability of rail service providers and ensure that the rights of passengers are adequately protected across the entire national railway network.