Uzbekistan’s High-Speed Trains to Carry More Than 3 Million Passengers Annually by 2030

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The large-scale transformation of Uzbekistan’s transport sector is entering a new phase. According to the updated development strategy, passenger traffic on high-speed rail routes is expected to more than double by 2030, with the country placing its main technological bet on innovations from South Korea.

The national railway network is preparing for record acceleration. While high-speed trains are already perceived as a standard of comfort today, by 2030 they are set to become the primary mode of travel for more than three million passengers each year.

The plan is ambitious. By the end of 2026, passenger numbers are expected to reach 1.5 million, rising to 3.25 million by 2030.

A key driver of this progress has been the arrival of the first batch of electric trainsets manufactured by Hyundai Rotem, delivered from South Korea in December last year.

The new rolling stock is currently undergoing final adjustments. Its distinctive feature is distributed traction, with engines installed beneath the passenger cars, allowing for faster acceleration and increased interior space.

The new trains are scheduled to enter service after March, with the Tashkent–Khiva route designated as a priority. This step is expected to bring a genuine transformation to the tourism sector by linking the capital with ancient cities in the fastest and most comfortable way possible.

By 2027, five more such trainsets are due to arrive in Uzbekistan.

The modernization of the fleet is aimed at meeting growing demand, as the country’s railway system is increasingly seen not merely as a logistics network, but as a cornerstone of transport and tourism infrastructure development.