Tajikistan and Russia are in discussions to resume passenger train service between Dushanbe and Moscow, as well as bus routes between cities in both countries. These services were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tajikistan’s Minister of Transport, Azim Ibrohim, shared this information at a press conference in response to a question from TASS. He said the issue was discussed in Moscow during a meeting between the Tajik delegation and Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit at the CIS Coordination Transport Conference.
“We addressed many transport-related issues and reached a full understanding. There were no unresolved matters, but some require time, including the Dushanbe-Moscow railway route,” Ibrohim stated.
He added that discussions are ongoing, with a final decision expected soon. The minister also noted that rail service between Bishkek and Moscow resumed late last year.
In addition to rail services, Tajikistan and Russia are working to expand bus connections. In mid-January, bus routes from Khujand to Novosibirsk, Tyumen, and Surgut were restored.
Currently, passenger trains from Tajikistan — departing from Dushanbe, Kulyab, and Khujand — only operate to Volgograd. If negotiations succeed, the resumption of direct rail and bus links will further facilitate travel and trade between the two countries.