Uzbekistan launches high-speed rail operation

By  Trend

"Uzbekistan Temir Yollari" ("Uzbekistan Railways") JSC launched the high-speed rail operation on the Tashkent-Bukhara route through Samarkand, the company said.

According to the company, Afrosiyob high-speed train made its first trip on the route on  August 25.

The implementation of the project on Samarkand-Bukhara high-speed rail operation began in 2015. The length of the railway section is 259 km, the cost of the project - about $400 million. The project was financed by Uzbekistan Railways.

Uzbekistan launched a high-speed rail operation on the Tashkent-Samarkand route in 2011. Some $225 million was invested in the modernization of the infrastructure.

Uzbekistan Railways JSC and Spanish Parentes Talgo S. A. signed a contract to purchase two high-speed electric trains, the AVE 250, at a cost of $38 million.

The trains, which must be delivered by late 2016, will be used on the new route.