In Ust-Kamenogorsk, plans are underway to replace the current electronic ticketing system «Oskemencard», created in partnership with a Belarusian company, with the «ONAY» system. The previous system, introduced under former Akim of the East Kazakhstan Region Danial Akhmetov, cost the budget several billion tenge.
According to Ratel.kz, information about the system replacement emerged after Almat Akyshov became the new Akim of Ust-Kamenogorsk. On his Instagram page, he stated that he had already visited Almaty to study the new system.
On 13 February, at a briefing in the regional communications service, Deputy Akim of Ust-Kamenogorsk Abzal Mauletkhanov officially confirmed the transition to the «ONAY» system, developed by the LLP «Transport Holding of Almaty».
It is noted that the maintenance of «Oskemencard» alone amounted to around one billion tenge. Recently, the system's subsidiary company, LLP «Centre for Passenger Transport Management of Ust-Kamenogorsk», was sold at auction for 25 million tenge.
"To date, contracts have been signed with all transport enterprises in the city — a total of 10 companies, which service over 300 units of public transport. Information on 55 routes, including three tram routes, has already been entered into the system. The street and road network has also been digitised, which will significantly improve the efficiency of vehicles. The old system has become obsolete; technology is constantly changing; we cannot stand still, we must move forward", reported Abzal Mauletkhanov.
According to the city authorities, the costs of implementing the new system will be borne by an investor. Its launch is tentatively scheduled for March 2025. Administration representatives assert that this will not lead to a fare increase or cause inconvenience for residents.
It is noted that the system will be financed by transport operators, who will receive budget subsidies totalling 5 billion tenge.
The developers claim that the ONAY system is already successfully operating in Almaty, Karaganda, Temirtau, Balkhash, Saran, and Taldykorgan. According to them, it can increase enterprise profitability by reducing the shadow economy and improve the regularity of public transport services to 95%.
"Over the past three years, rolling stock has been renewed by almost 97% in other cities where the system was implemented. ONAY will also help solve existing problems on routes by conducting a detailed analysis of passenger flow and identifying opportunities to improve service quality", said Dauren Sabitov, General Director of the LLP «Transport Holding of Almaty».