Uzbekistan’s Senate approved a revised version of the law on railway transport on September 30, as reported by the press service of the Oliy Majlis. The new legislation, intended to replace the 1999 law, aims to modernize the country's railway sector by introducing market-driven policies and encouraging entrepreneurship.
One of the law's key provisions is the liberalization of tariffs for railway freight transportation and high-speed passenger trains, marking the end of state regulation in these areas. This shift to market principles is expected to create a competitive environment and attract foreign investment.
The new law emphasizes expanding international cooperation in railway transport, with a focus on public-private partnerships (PPPs) to fund and execute major projects. It also outlines strategies for attracting investment into railway infrastructure, identifying potential funding sources for the construction and reconstruction of railways and stations.
Furthermore, the document outlines the roles and responsibilities of carriers and infrastructure operators and introduces a mechanism for compensating losses incurred from domestic passenger services. This compensation will come from the State Budget, although high-speed and express trains will be exempt from this provision.
The bill, which also introduces the concept of non-public transport, is now awaiting the president's signature for final approval. Initially drafted by the Ministry of Transport in December 2023, the new law is seen as a significant step toward modernizing Uzbekistan's railway system and aligning it with global standards.
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