Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, accompanied by public representatives, traveled on a new Hyundai Rotem high-speed train delivered to the country, from Samarkand to Narpay district. This event is part of a comprehensive project to modernize Uzbekistan's railway transport. The train's exterior is white with tinted windows and features blue, green, and red stripes reflecting the colors of the Uzbek flag.

Named after "Jaloliddin Manguberdi," this train is the first of six sets planned for delivery to Uzbekistan. It consists of seven carriages, can accommodate approximately 390 passengers, and is capable of reaching speeds up to 260 km/h. The train offers three service classes – VIP, business, and economy. As part of the project, the train has been specially adapted to Uzbekistan's harsh climatic conditions, including dust, sharp temperature changes, and sandstorms.

The high-speed trains are scheduled to be launched soon on the Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva route, which is expected to reduce travel time from the current over 13 hours to approximately 7 hours. The 465 km long "Bukhara-Urgench-Khiva" route has been electrified for the new train. The contract with Hyundai Rotem was signed in June 2024 during the South Korean president's visit to Uzbekistan.

The total cost of the project is estimated at 220.03 million euros, with financing provided by the Uzbek government, the "Uzbekistan Railways" company, and the Korea Eximbank (KEXIM). Uzbekistan contributes 21.3 million euros, "Uzbekistan Railways" 13.5 million euros, and KEXIM provides a 40-year loan equivalent to 185.18 million euros with a 10-year preferential period. The remaining five trains are expected to be delivered in 2026–2027.

Source: www.gazeta.uz