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A local media outlet published a report claiming that the Tashkent Metro is purchasing escalators at an inflated cost of $100,000 per unit. However, the metro administration refuted this information, clarifying that the figures provided by the publication were incorrect — the actual cost of an escalator is $55,000.
Incorrect Data on Escalator Costs
The press service of the metro explained that the actual cost of one escalator is $55,000. The equipment being purchased belongs to the “heavy-duty” type of escalators, which are designed for 20 hours of continuous operation per day and are used exclusively in the metro. These escalators differ significantly from the “light-duty” variants, which may be cheaper but are unsuitable for the high capacity demands of the metro.
In addition to the base cost, there are additional expenses such as transportation ($16,000), customs duties ($3,600), VAT ($8,900), and installation and certification costs ($11,800). As a result, the total cost of one escalator, excluding the supplier’s profit, amounts to approximately $95,300, which is still lower than the $100,000 mentioned in the article.
Official Conclusion and Procurement Procedure
The metro also noted that all procurement procedures underwent an official review by the Center for Comprehensive Expertise of Projects and Import Contracts under the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The experts confirmed the market prices for the escalators, and on June 23, 2023, an official conclusion was issued, validating the legitimacy of the expenses.
The tenders for escalator procurement were held three times: the first two were canceled for various reasons, including incomplete documentation and a lack of participants. Finally, on November 18, 2023, during the third electronic tender, Mercury Solution was selected as the winning company, and a contract was signed for 10.5 billion UZS to supply, install, and commission 8 escalators at the “Friendship of Peoples,” “Novza,” and “Paxtakor” stations.
Despite the doubts that have arisen, the metro management insists that the entire procurement process for the escalators was carried out in strict accordance with the law, and the cost was thoroughly reviewed and approved by official bodies. Such purchases are necessary to improve the metro’s infrastructure, which will positively impact the quality of passenger services.
Currently, the Tashkent Metro has announced an electronic tender for the third time to purchase escalators to replace outdated ones at the “Mustakillik Maydoni” and “Hamid Olimjon” stations on the Chilonzor line.
The text has been translated by AI. For more accurate information, please refer to the Russian version of the article
