Azerbaijan State Railway Office to transport 25 million tons of cargo in 2009

"The cargo transportation has reduced about 30 percent. The cargo transport will be 25 million tons because of the crisis. The ASRO income is expected to be lower this year," Nazirov said.

The State Statistics Committee said earlier that 4.7 million tons of cargo was transported via railway in the first quarter of the year compared to 6.4 million tons in Jan-Mar. 2008.

Nazirov said the passenger conveyance is not expected to drop and remain on previous level.

The ASRO conveyed 6.4 million passengers in 2008.

Total income was 248 million manat. About 164.2 million manat accounted for cargo transport, 34.5 million manat - passenger conveyance and 50 million manat for ancillary services.

Track miles of the ASRO railway is 2,950 kilometers and operational railway 2,122 kilometers.

/Trend Capital/