Uzbekistan Temir Yollari (UTY) announced the upcoming launch of a new tourist train connecting Tashkent to Balykchy, near Issyk-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan. The service, expected to start in 2025, aims to increase regional tourism and provide a convenient link between Uzbekistan and one of Kyrgyzstan’s premier destinations.
The decision was reached during the recent meeting of the CIS Council on Railway Transport held in Tashkent on November 5. During the event, UTY chairman Zufar Narzullaev met with representatives from Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Iran to discuss expanded railway cooperation across the region.
Azamat Sakiev, the head of Kyrgyz Temir Zholu, discussed both the new tourist train initiative and the transportation of goods such as coal and cement from Uzbekistan. The parties also agreed to explore competitive tariffs to facilitate the flow of both tourism and cargo.
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan also outlined plans to enhance freight movement through new tariffs and digitalized operations. UTY's discussions with Kazakhstan Temir Zholy focused on boosting freight flows and advancing digital technologies in cross-border railway operations.
The Tashkent to Issyk-Kul train route adds momentum to the wider regional railway initiatives that have seen recent investment. Kyrgyzstan recently allocated $14mn to the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, stressing its commitment to strengthening connectivity within Central Asia and beyond.
The new Tashkent-Issyk-Kul line promises to boost tourism, enhance regional trade, and strengthen economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
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