The first elevated light rail transit (LRT) line in Astana, Kazakhstan, is scheduled to open this week, as to City Transportation Systems (CTS). The project is designed to improve urban transport connectivity between key parts of the capital.
The LRT line spans 22.4 kilometers, connecting Astana International Airport with the Nurly Zhol railway station. It includes 18 stations serving major business districts and residential areas across the city.
The system will operate fully driverless trains controlled from a central operations facility. The trains are designed to run at a standard operating speed of 60 km/h, with a maximum speed of 80 km/h. A total of 15 trains will be in service, with additional units held in reserve. Each train has a capacity of more than 600 passengers.
CTS estimates daily passenger traffic in the initial operational period will range between 25,000 and 45,000 people. The travel time between terminal stations is expected to be around 40 minutes. Trains are scheduled to run at intervals of up to 10 minutes, with operating hours from early morning to late evening. The fare is set at KZT 200, approximately $0.43.
City authorities have also outlined plans to extend the line toward the suburban area of Koshy, with preparatory work already underway for a second phase of development.
The LRT project has undergone multiple stages of planning and construction. Initial proposals for a light rail system in Astana date back to 2005, when it was included in the city development plan. Construction began in 2011 with a planned completion timeline of 2020, during which supporting infrastructure was partially built before the project was suspended in 2013 due to cost-related issues.
In subsequent years, the project was reviewed and reactivated, with continued construction and oversight measures introduced. In parallel, legal proceedings were initiated in connection with earlier construction phases, involving charges related to financial misconduct and administrative violations. Several individuals were convicted in relation to those proceedings, while others were placed on international wanted lists.
Despite earlier interruptions and investigations, the project was ultimately resumed, with authorities stating that completion was necessary due to the scale of prior investment and infrastructure already in place.
