Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Tashkent City Council of People’s Deputies has approved a project to purchase 10 modern electric trains from Czech company Škoda Transportation. The relevant resolution was adopted on 17 September 2026, kengash.gov.uz reports.
The new trains are intended to replace the outdated fleet. Currently, just 10 trainsets comprising 77 cars operate on suburban lines, most of them ER9E models manufactured between 1983 and 1987. Their overhaul would cost approximately 135 billion soums but would extend their service life by only four years, prompting the authorities to purchase new rolling stock.
The issue is also reflected in passenger numbers: in 2025, 10.5 million people used suburban trains, 4.1 million fewer than in 2000. Passengers are switching to road transport due to low service frequency, the lack of air conditioning, hard seats and noise in the old carriages.
The new Škoda 25Ev trainsets are designed to accommodate 432 seated passengers — almost twice as many as the current trains — while total capacity, including standing passengers, will reach 880 people. The trains will have a service life of at least 30 years and will be equipped with climate control capable of keeping the temperature inside the passenger compartment at no more than +32°C even when outdoor temperatures reach +50°C, as well as a system allowing trainsets of up to eight cars to be coupled.
The project will cost €157 million. The bulk of the funding — €123.5 million — will be provided by the European Investment Bank as a 24-year loan. The remainder will be covered by the project’s own funds and Uzbekistan’s share, including VAT on imported equipment, from which the project is planned to be exempted.
The trains will be purchased by JSC Uzbekiston Temir Yullari through its subsidiary Shahar Atrofida Yulovchi Tashish.
The project is planned to be implemented in 2026–2030, while 156 jobs will be created on the new lines and in train maintenance.
The decision was made pursuant to a presidential resolution adopted in December 2025, which calls for increasing the number of suburban train passengers from 10.5 million to 23.5 million by 2030.
