The transport infrastructure in the Khorezm region is undergoing a significant upgrade as local authorities prepare to launch a new fleet of public transit vehicles. According to the Khorezm Regional Transport Department, new autonomous trolleybuses manufactured by China's Yutong—which were supposedly showcased to the nation's leadership in mid-August—are scheduled to begin operations on the route connecting Urgench and Khiva starting October 27.

In anticipation of the launch, a new administrative building and a modernized depot for the 'Khorezm Trolleybus Park' state enterprise have recently been inaugurated in Urgench, while a similar facility is currently under construction in Khiva. Officials report that the prospective drivers have completed a specialized training program and have officially obtained their operational licenses.

Khorezm remains the sole region in Uzbekistan where a functioning trolleybus network has been preserved. Furthermore, it stands as one of only two intercity trolleybus systems left anywhere in the world. The one-way length of this unique route spans 35.6 kilometers, contrasting with the longer Simferopol-Yalta line in Europe, which measures 84 kilometers.

The intercity transit corridor was originally established in 1998, initially running from the Urgench airport to Khiva before being shortened to the central market in Urgench. Current operations rely on Skoda trolleybuses acquired back in 2013, with eight out of nine units in constant daily rotation. The introduction of 10 new Yutong trolleybuses, capable of independent autonomous travel of up to 100 kilometers, will reportedly enable authorities to finally extend the route back to the airport.

Source: www.gazeta.uz