Kazakhstan’s government held the first meeting of a working group on road tolls, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin. Participants reviewed ways to improve the current toll system and ensure sustainable funding for road maintenance and repairs.
The discussion focused on toll payments for commercial trucks, including domestic and foreign carriers. The proposed measures would not change road access conditions for private passenger cars.
Independent insurance expert Aigerim Karabyyikoglu suggested studying whether toll rates in Kazakhstan could be brought closer to those in neighboring countries and whether separate terms could be introduced for domestic carriers. She also proposed developing insurance arrangements for foreign trucks crossing the state border.
Farhad Nurkamalov, a business analyst at the national company KazAvtoZhol, proposed considering annual passes for transport companies. These could allow carriers to pay in advance for planned mileage and may improve payment collection and reduce arrears.
Bolatbek Nazhmetdinuly, an eighth-convocation Mazhilis deputy and transport and logistics expert, suggested examining differentiated rates based on vehicles’ environmental class, emissions and load on road surfaces. Participants also discussed expanding digital monitoring of freight traffic and compliance with toll payment requirements.
After the meeting, the deputy prime minister instructed the group to examine the proposals in detail with government agencies, industry associations and businesses. The main proposals are to be prepared by the end of November for consideration at the next working group meeting.
