Railways - The Times Of Central Asia

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internet access

Next Stop, Wi-Fi: Kazakhstan Pilots Satellite Internet on Rails

Just a few years ago, internet access on passenger trains in Kazakhstan seemed like an unattainable dream. Today, this service is becoming a reality. In an interview, Anuar Akhmetzhanov, Chairman of the Board of JSC Passenger Transport, told The Times of Central Asia that providing passengers with access to high-speed internet on trains is one of the key directions in the digitalization of the passenger transportation sector. Since the beginning of this year, the national company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (Kazakhstan Railways), together with the official distributor of the low-orbit satellite network OneWeb in Kazakhstan, has launched a pilot project to provide internet access on passenger trains. The service was first introduced on the Astana–Almaty route, and in the spring, on the Astana–Oskemen route. According to Akhmetzhanov, Kazakhstan is among the first countries in the world to implement low-orbit satellite internet on passenger trains. In addition, internet access based on Starlink technology was recently launched in pilot mode on the Astana–Borovoe electric train. “The preliminary results of the pilot project show strong demand from passengers. According to surveys, 87% of our passengers are satisfied with the quality of the internet, and the service meets their expectations,” said Akhmetzhanov. High-speed internet of up to 150 Mbps benefits both passengers and the carrier. Travelers can remain connected throughout the journey, have access to various online services, make online payments during the trip, and enjoy unlimited entertainment options. JSC Passenger Transport will, in turn, gain additional opportunities to sell tickets, control passenger boarding, provide additional services, and ensure safety control by connecting an onboard video surveillance system. “As of today, only three trains are equipped with internet. Work is underway to expand the service to all types of trains. Based on testing results, we plan to roll out the solution to all major routes as early as next year,” noted Akhmetzhanov. One of the main questions for passengers is whether the introduction of internet services on trains will affect ticket prices. On this point, Akhmetzhanov stated that an increase in ticket prices is not currently under consideration. “However, to reduce and offset expenses, the national carrier, together with its partner, is conducting market research on the demand for paid internet packages with higher speeds,” he said. For example, the operator Jusan Mobile offers paid internet services; currently, passengers can choose tariffs for the entire trip or purchase 1 GB packages with the option to increase the volume as needed. There are no restrictions on which internet resources can be accessed. In the near future, JSC Passenger Transportation is preparing to launch internet services on trains traveling on western routes, such as Aktobe–Almaty, Kyzylorda–Semey, and others. The Train Internet project, based on satellite technology, ensures a stable, high-speed connection even in remote and hard-to-reach regions where traditional mobile services are limited. For Kazakhstan, with its vast territory and long travel distances, providing internet access on passenger trains is a service in high demand.

Railways

EDB to Fund Feasibility Study for Railway in Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul Region

The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) will provide a grant to Kyrgyzstan’s national railway company, Kyrgyz Temir Jolu, to prepare a preliminary feasibility study for a new railway line connecting the cities of Balykchy and Cholpon-Ata in the Issyk-Kul region. Balykchy and Cholpon-Ata are located 79 km apart. At present, the railway linking Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek, with Lake Issyk-Kul ends in Balykchy. The planned section would extend the line to Cholpon-Ata, the main resort city on the lake’s northern shore. A technical assistance agreement for financing the study was signed on August 14 by Azamat Sakiev, General Director of Kyrgyz Temir Jolu, and Iaroslav Mandron, Vice Chairman of the EDB Management Board. According to the EDB, the Balykchy-Cholpon-Ata project aims to boost both tourism and freight connectivity in the Issyk-Kul region, linking its resorts to the railway networks of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. It is also expected to support mineral resource development and expand freight operations by creating more reliable logistics routes. The preliminary feasibility study will compare technical and economic options, determine the optimal construction approach, develop a high-level financial and economic model, and provide recommendations for implementation and financing. “The new Balykchy-Cholpon-Ata railway section is crucial not only for strengthening Kyrgyzstan’s domestic transport system but also for advancing international logistics,” said Mandron. “The project will integrate with Tamchy Airport, about 40 km from Cholpon-Ata, helping increase both tourist and cargo traffic. The feasibility study is a strategic step that will allow the parties to move from intentions to concrete implementation mechanisms for a project estimated at around $500 million.”

Railways

Turkmenistan and Iran to Build Dual-Gauge Rail Lines at Sarakhs Border Crossing

Turkmenistan and Iran have agreed to construct two new railway lines at the Sarakhs border crossing to enhance freight transport between the two countries, Iranian Railways chief Jabbar Ali Zakeri announced following talks with Turkmenistan’s Minister of Railways, Mammet Akmammedov. The agreement was reached during bilateral meetings in Turkmenbashi, held on the sidelines of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development reported on August 12, according to Biznes Turkmenistan. Zakeri stated that the project will include the construction of one standard-gauge and one broad-gauge line connecting the Sarakhs stations on both sides of the border. He emphasized the significance of expanding rail infrastructure to improve regional connectivity and noted that technical discussions between the two countries’ rail administrations would follow shortly. The Sarakhs crossing is a critical transit hub linking Iran to Central Asia and forms part of the International North-South Transport Corridor, aimed at facilitating trade between Asia and Europe. This initiative aligns with Turkmenistan’s broader strategy to diversify its export routes. Despite possessing the world’s fourth-largest natural gas reserves, the country has long struggled to access stable foreign markets. In October 2024, Ashgabat signed a landmark deal to supply 10 billion cubic meters of gas annually to Iraq, its first major export agreement in nearly two decades. While Turkmenistan maintains two gas pipelines to Iran with a combined capacity of 20 billion cubic meters, exports have been minimal since 2017 due to ongoing payment disputes.

Middle Corridor

KTZ Secures $540 Million Loan to Upgrade Trans-Kazakhstan Railway Corridor

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway operator, has secured a syndicated loan of up to 480 million Swiss francs (approximately $540 million) for a three-year term. Arranged through Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Deutsche Bank, the financing will support key infrastructure projects along the Trans-Kazakhstan Railway Corridor. According to KTZ, the loan will fund construction of the Moiynty-Kyzylzhar section, upgrades to congested segments of the national rail network, and the refinancing of existing debt. The Trans-Kazakhstan Railway Corridor is central to Kazakhstan’s strategy to solidify its role as a major overland transit hub connecting China and Europe. Infrastructure improvements are expected to reduce delivery times, lower logistics costs, create jobs, and diversify international trade routes, enhancing both the resilience of Kazakhstan’s economy and the competitiveness of its transport sector. Currently, more than 80% of overland freight from China to Europe passes through Kazakhstan via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor. This route circumvents Russia and connects China to Europe through Central Asia and the Caspian Sea. In 2024, freight volumes along the TITR surged by 60%, reaching 4.5 million tons. Kazakhstan aims to more than double that volume to 10 million tons by 2030, as part of its broader ambition to expand its footprint in global supply chains.

Railways

Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan Sign Deal to Study TransAfghan Railway

Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have taken a significant step toward realizing the long-planned TransAfghan railway. According to Uzbekistan Railways, the three countries signed an intergovernmental agreement on July 17 in Kabul to launch a technical and economic feasibility study for the proposed “Termez-Naibabad-Maidan Shar-Logar-Kharlachi” route. The deal was finalized at a trilateral summit attended by Uzbekistan’s Transport Minister Ilkhom Makhkamov, Pakistan’s Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, and Afghanistan’s acting Public Works Minister Mohammad Esa Thani. The route itself was agreed upon in July 2023 in Islamabad by representatives of all three nations. A project office established under the International Transport Corridors Development Strategy, launched in May 2023 in Tashkent with branches in Kabul and Islamabad, will oversee the study. Originally proposed in 2018, the TransAfghan railway is envisioned to link Termez in Uzbekistan with Mazar-i-Sharif and Kabul in Afghanistan, before extending to Peshawar in Pakistan. The line would run over 700 kilometers through Afghanistan, creating a direct land corridor between Central Asia and the Arabian Sea. Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov reiterated the project’s importance during a July 17 meeting with Afghanistan’s acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani. Saidov noted that trade between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan has nearly tripled over the past year, emphasizing that deeper ties among Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan could benefit the broader region. Haqqani, in turn, praised Uzbekistan’s “goodwill, constructive cooperation, and spirit of brotherhood,” describing the railway as a strategically vital project that could spur economic growth across Central Asia. The initiative has drawn support from Russia, Iran, and several international financial institutions. The railway is expected to reduce transit times for Central Asian exports to Pakistani ports from several weeks to just a few days. While the project's initial cost was estimated at $4.8 billion, later projections have placed it at $7 billion, according to Tolo News. The forthcoming feasibility study is a critical next step. It will evaluate engineering challenges, projected costs, trade flow potential, and security conditions along the proposed route. If the study confirms the project's viability, the three governments can proceed with securing funding and establishing a construction timeline. Regional analysts say the railway could transform trade and logistics across Central Asia. It would offer landlocked countries, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan, direct access to seaports in Karachi and Gwadar, opening new markets in South Asia and beyond. For now, officials in Tashkent, Islamabad, and Kabul are concentrating on completing the study. With strong political backing and expanding trade links, they believe the TransAfghan railway stands a strong chance of becoming a central artery in the region’s future transport infrastructure.

Railways

Kazakhstan to Build Strategic Railway Bridge Across Syr Darya River

Kazakhstan will construct a 500-meter railway bridge over the Syr Darya River as part of a strategic infrastructure initiative to bolster transport links with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the national railway company, has announced. Preparatory works are already underway, with construction progressing on a 152-kilometer segment of the new Darbaza-Maktaaral railway line, stretching from Erdaut station to the Syr Darya floodplain. The full project will include 35 bridges in total. The Darbaza-Maktaaral line is seen as vital for strengthening Kazakhstan’s transport and transit infrastructure. It is expected to ease pressure on the congested Saryagash-Tashkent rail corridor and the heavily utilized Saryagash border station, enabling a significant increase in freight traffic to Uzbekistan and beyond-to Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. Once operational, the railway is projected to carry over 20 million tons of cargo annually. In addition to its international significance, the project is poised to stimulate economic development in southern Kazakhstan. By directly linking the Maktaaral and Zhetysai districts to the national rail network, it will eliminate the need to transit through Uzbek territory, streamlining domestic logistics and enhancing regional accessibility. Completion of the Darbaza-Maktaaral railway is scheduled for 2026.