KHUJAND, August 30, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Gasoline price hike has led to more than 16 percent increase in public transport fares in Khujand, the capital of the northern Sughd province, Asia-Plus has learned from Anvar Qurbonov, the deputy head of the Sughd passenger transport service.

“Over the past several days, the price of one liter of gasoline has increased to 3.00 somoni and the price of one cubic meter of natural gas has increased to 1.80 somoni,” said Qurbonov, “The price hike has resulted in the passenger fare for minivan increasing from 55 (for natural-gas-run minivans) and 60 dirams to 70 dirams.

The passenger fares from interurban routs have been raised as well.  Thus, the passenger fare for the route from Khujand to Qairoqqum has increased by 20 dirams to 1.60 somoni.

The passenger fare for buses is now 65 dirams, Qurbonov said.

According to him, more than 2,700 minivans, 25 interurban buses and four intraurban buses currently serve cities and districts of the province.