(10 February 2026 | Source: Exclusive.kz)
100% of shares in JSC «Pavlodar City Tram Administration named after D. D. Makhmudov» have been transferred to the control of the Finance Department of Pavlodar Region. The decision is the outcome of a process that began back in November 2025, and coincides with long-standing issues in renewing the city's tram fleet.
HOW THE TRANSFER PROCESS UNFOLDED
As reported by Exclusive.kz., the decision to remove the tram administration from the structure of JSC «Social-Entrepreneurial Corporation «Pavlodar» was made on 11 November 2025. The legal formalisation of the transaction was completed on 6 February 2026, and on 9 February, information about the change of ownership was published on the official service for disclosing corporate information of the Department of Financial Reporting (DFR). The transfer of assets was formalised by a resolution of the Akimat of Pavlodar Region dated 8 January 2026 and a gift agreement dated 4 February.
REASONS AND RELATED CIRCUMSTANCES
The transfer of the enterprise took place against a backdrop of criticism of the activities of the Social-Entrepreneurial Corporation (SEC). In June 2025, the regional akim pointed out the low efficiency of the corporation in managing socially significant projects and returning budget funds. In November of the same year, a new chairman of the board was appointed to the SEC — Dauren Zhambaibek, who previously held the position of deputy akim of the region.
Additionally, in October 2025, the Agency for the Protection and Development of Competition reported on widespread violations in the activities of SECs across the country, and Majilis deputies raised the issue of optimising the quasi-public sector.
CONDITION OF THE TRAM FLEET
Earlier, Pavlodar authorities announced plans to purchase new trams, but the delivery did not take place due to problems with financing and international contracts. According to official data, the level of wear and tear on carriages is 73%, which requires significant investment and ongoing budget support.
In Kazakhstan, trams have only survived in three cities: Pavlodar, Ust-Kamenogorsk and Temirtau. In other cities, tram systems were dismantled. The transfer of the tram administration to the direct control of regional authorities may indicate a revision of approaches to the management of this infrastructure.