Local and long-distance road-bound passenger transport
Buses, long-distance transport
According to rrrjewelry, Ashgabat has four bus stations. Regular buses run from the bus station on the forecourt of the Soviet-era airport to all major cities in the east of the country as well as numerous settlements in the vicinity of the capital. On market days (twice a week), every street-connected settlement in the country can be reached from the bus station at Tolkutschka Market. The fares are also here in the range between a few cents and a few euros for very long distances. From the bus stop in front of the train station, minibuses run to eastern parts of the country (Mary, Turkmenabad etc.). These are a bit more expensive and less comfortable than the big buses, but they are also significantly faster. The bus stop for buses to western parts of the country (Gok Tepe, Balkanabad, etc.) is next to the Tekke Bazar.
In the intercity traffic between the larger cities of the country, the old Soviet-era buses have mostly been replaced by new buses of Chinese and Korean manufacture. In some cases, well-preserved and very comfortable Mercedes buses from the 1960’s and 1970’s were imported from Iran (see illustration: bus from Mary to Ashgabat). The once numerous red and orange-colored intercity buses of the Ikarus brand can only be found very rarely.
In contrast, Soviet-era models still dominate nationwide in regional transport. Are widely used especially KAVS minibuses (KAVS 651, 685 and KAVS KAVS 3270), older brand buses LIAS, PAS(especially PAS 672 and PAS 3205) and other similar ones (see figures below). Due to their robust construction and excellent cross-country mobility, these will not be replaced in the foreseeable future. Even very remote desert and mountain villages can be reached with these vehicles all year round regardless of the weather, so that at least in the medium term no adequate substitute can be identified.
Buses, local transport
Ashgabat has an excellent public transport system. Although the last trolleybus routes were in 2010 discontinued (former line 1 along Maghtymguly Street), but at the same time the bus network was further consolidated. Modern buses from South Korean manufacturers connect all parts of the city in close intervals. The subsidized tickets are only available as single tickets or monthly tickets. Any number of single tickets can be purchased from the bus driver and must be perforated with a hole pattern on the stamping machines installed in the bus immediately after departure. When disembarking, the ticket must be thrown into the box next to the bus driver. Alternatively, the fare can be thrown into the same box in cash (counted or without change) when disembarking. If there is a ticket inspection during the journey, the perforated ticket must be presented or the amount counted will be handed over to the inspector immediately and without being requested to do so. The prices are a few cents per trip. Dodging is consistently punished. Newer bus stops are partially air-conditioned. Bus timetables hang at numerous stops. The lines are drawn in color, so that even foreign visitors can find their way around relatively easily after a short time. Due to the tight schedule, there are no fixed departure times for most bus routes at the stops, only the average times between the departure of two buses. Bus timetables hang at numerous stops. The lines are drawn in color, so that even foreign visitors can find their way around relatively easily after a short time. Due to the tight schedule, there are no fixed departure times for most bus routes at the stops, only the average times between the departure of two buses. Bus timetables hang at numerous stops. The lines are drawn in color, so that even foreign visitors can find their way around relatively easily after a short time. Due to the tight schedule, there are no fixed departure times for most bus routes at the stops, only the average times between the departure of two buses.
Taxis
Licensed taxis are rare. However, almost any vehicle nationwide can be waved over as a taxi. For this purpose, the vehicle driver is called to the desired destination. If the driver agrees, he will open the door or give his consent by nodding his head. No price negotiations are necessary for trips within Ashgabat – and usually not even possible. Trips in the vicinity cost around 1.75 euros, journeys over 5 minutes around 3.5 euros (as of 2016). Comparable tariffs apply in all major cities in the country. For all longer journeys, the prices must be negotiated individually. In principle, trips lasting several hours – for example to other cities – are initiated in the same way. Either the first driver approached takes over the route himself or he is able – often in a very short time – to organize someone for it. For long journeys, it is customary to pay part of the negotiated travel costs in advance to finance the fuel.