Bishkek, Nov. 20, 2025. /Kabar/. Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda described his visit to the electric bus depot in Bishkek as inspiring and encouraging, highlighting the project as a strong example of how environmental protection and social inclusion can advance together.
Speaking to reporters in the Kyrgyz capital, Kanda emphasized that electric buses are not only clean and quiet but also accessible and comfortable. He noted that their environmental benefits are just part of the story, and what impressed him most was the system’s universal accessibility.
According to him, the new buses are designed to better serve women, the elderly, and people with disabilities — featuring low floors, wheelchair ramps, and wide doors that make boarding easier for everyone.
“This is a very good example where environmental protection and social inclusion move forward together,” Kanda said, adding that this model can be successfully replicated in other cities beyond Bishkek.
The ADB-supported electric bus fleet is part of a broader effort to modernize urban transport and improve air quality in the Kyrgyz capital. Under the ADB’s Urban Transport Electrification Project, funding was provided for the purchase of 120 electric buses and the modernization of two bus depots. The total project financing amounts to 50 million US dollars.
Masato Kanda, who arrived in Bishkek on November 19, visited one of the upgraded depots on Wednesday, where all 120 battery-electric buses procured under the project are now fully operational.