Introduction Tashkent—Uzbekistan’s capital—is undergoing a period of dynamic growth. However, it also faces significant challenges in urban mobility. Among the most pressing issues are an outdated public transport fleet and a shortage of qualified female drivers. A promising solution lies in the deployment of eco-friendly buses, which not only improves air quality and reduce emissions, but also creates new employment opportunities—particularly for women. This dual impact supports both environmental sustainability and the national goal of increasing women’s economic participation and ensuring equal opportunities, as outlined in the Uzbekistan–2030 strategy. Modernizing Public Transport: Why Tashkent Needs Eco-Friendly Buses Road transport—largely powered by diesel and gasoline—is one of the major sources of air pollution in Tashkent. In 2022, Uzbekistan’s transport sector emitted about 1.4 million tons of air pollutants, with 403,000 tons originating from the capital. High concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM2.5) are associated with increased risks of chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, lowering the quality of life in urban areas. The introduction of electric and compressed natural gas (CNG) powered buses could significantly reduce emissions, lower health risks, and contribute to Uzbekistan’s target of reducing emissions per unit of GDP by 35% by 2030. Their adoption would also modernize the city’s public transport infrastructure, aligning with global environmental standards. Beyond pollution, traffic congestion in Tashkent results in economic losses, reduced productivity, and increased fuel consumption. Eco-friendly buses, equipped with GPS systems and automated route planning technologies, offer smart solutions by optimizing routes and responding in real time to road conditions. Integrated sensors and data-driven algorithms assess passenger flow, reducing waiting times and overcrowding, which can encourage residents to switch from private vehicles to buses—alleviating traffic pressure and improving urban air quality. As seen in Almaty, similar reforms increased public transport ridership by 33% and reduced travel times by 15%. In addition, eco-friendly buses offer enhanced safety features. Driver monitoring systems help detect fatigue and distraction while in-vehicle surveillance cameras and sensors improve passenger security. Their energy efficiency and reduced maintenance needs also make them more cost-effective over the long term. Eco-Friendly Buses as Pathways to Women’s Employment Women make up a significant share of Uzbekistan's workforce, but they remain underrepresented in the transport sector, making up only about 35% of the total workforce, and only two out of 2,000 male bus drivers are employed. Transitioning to eco-friendly buses offers opportunities to reshape the imbalance by opening new, accessible jobs for women in a traditionally male-dominated field. Training and hiring women as bus drivers offers benefits such as improved road safety, enhanced passenger service quality, and higher household incomes earned by women. Studies indicate that women generally demonstrate safer driving behaviors. In the US, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety found that between 1975 and 2022, fatality rate among female drivers was half that of male drivers. Similarly, Dublin Bus in Ireland reported 38% fewer complaints per average female driver compared to male counterparts. These indicators suggest that women are often perceived as being better at managing client relationships, which is particularly important in public-facing roles. Targeted training programs, employment assistance initiatives, and public outreach campaigns could help Uzbekistan replicate these successes. Expanding women’s access to public transport driving roles also helps increase household incomes and improve the financial security of their families. Emphasizing gender-inclusive workforce strategies, in turn, can lead to significant advancements in social equity and economic prosperity. Removing Barriers: Institutional Solutions Until recently, legal restrictions in Uzbekistan limited women’s access to many jobs. Although a 2019 presidential decree abolished a list of more than 300 professions where female labor was either completely or partially prohibited, legal restrictions remained and prevented women from driving buses or freight vehicles weighing over 2.5 tons or carrying more than 14 passengers. This changed with Cabinet of Ministers' Resolution No. 85 in February 2024, which officially lifted the remaining barriers. While this legislative reform marks a significant step forward, there are still obstacles that limit women's full participation in public transport employment, highlighting the need for coordinated and effective solutions. A key obstacle is the lack of public awareness regarding available opportunities in the transport sector. Although there is strong demand for skilled drivers, information about the benefits of working as an electric bus driver—particularly for women—is still limited. Targeted information campaigns, showcasing success stories of female drivers, and media visibility of their contributions to urban mobility could play a vital role in reshaping public perceptions of the profession and inspire more women to consider careers in public transport. Working conditions also need to be improved since bus driving is physically and mentally demanding. The World Bank report Closing Gender Gaps in Transport recommends measures such as better shift scheduling, access to clean and well-lit rest areas, provision of sanitary facilities, and implementation of safety programs, which can attract more women to the profession. Modern electric buses, designed with ergonomic driver workstations, also help reduce physical strain and make vehicle operation more comfortable. Access to quality training remains a significant barrier. Acquiring the necessary driver’s license and completing required certification courses involve financial costs, which can deter potential candidates. To address this, government support through training subsidies and incentives for companies that hire female drivers could overcome these barriers and encourage higher female participation in the transport sector. Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Urban Mobility Tashkent’s integration of eco-friendly buses into its passenger transport system presents an opportunity to address two critical priorities: improving the city’s environmental challenges and expanding employment opportunities for women. A comprehensive approach that combines awareness campaigns, government support, improved working conditions and accessible education can help build a socially inclusive and resilient transport system—a platform for inclusive growth. Implementing these measures and empowering women to take on roles as electric bus drivers can transform Tashkent into a champion for other cities in Uzbekistan and Central Asia, contributing to the modernization of public transport infrastructure aligned with international standards. Resources Government of Uzbekistan. 2024. What are the Causes of Air Pollution in Tashkent? Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 2024. Fatality Facts Males and Females. Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan. Information on Gender Equality. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. 2019. On Measures to Further Improve the System of Public Administration in the Field of Transport. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. 2023. On the Strategy "Uzbekistan – 2030" (Decree No. UP-158). World Bank. 2025. Addressing Barriers to Women’s Participation in Transport. World Bank. 2024. Closing Gender Gaps in Transport. Ask the Experts Shahina Saidova Project Assistant, Uzbekistan Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank Shahina Saidova supports project implementation in the Water and Urban Development Sector Group. She holds a Master’s in Education and Innovation and a BSc in Finance, Investment, and Risk. She brings expertise in financial management, transformative learning, and sectoral development. Her experience includes roles at UNDP and the Acceleration Group of Companies as research analyst. Her academic work focuses on economic development, quality education, and evidence-based solutions. Follow Shahina Saidova on Farida Djumabaeva Senior Gender and Social Development Officer, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department, Asian Development Bank Farida Djumabaeva is a development professional with over 17 years at ADB. Based in the Uzbekistan Resident Mission, she leads gender mainstreaming in the Uzbekistan portfolio. Before ADB, she taught and conducted research at the Tashkent Automobile and Road Institute and worked on education, agriculture, and water resources projects funded by ADB, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, and the OPEC Fund. She holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Technical and Vocational Education and Training. Follow Farida Djumabaeva on Asian Development Bank (ADB) The Asian Development Bank is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—49 from the region. Follow Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Leave your question or comment in the section below: View the discussion thread.