Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A working meeting took place in Astana between the leadership of "Passenger Transport" JSC (Kazakhstan) and "Uzbekistan Temir Yullari" JSC. The meeting focused on prospects for enhancing cooperation in passenger transport between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

As a result of the negotiations, an agreement was signed to launch tourist trains between the two countries, and a working group was established to implement joint projects. One of the first steps in this direction was the launch of the tourist train "Jibek Joly," organized by the railway companies of both countries.

Due to the high popularity of the route and its significance for both nations, a decision was made to further develop the "Jibek Joly" project and explore the possibility of opening new tourist routes, including an international route between "Astana and Samarkand," which would strengthen tourism ties between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

The meeting also addressed the potential for adjusting the train schedules on international routes to improve passenger convenience and increase passenger traffic.

At the initiative of the Uzbek side, it was proposed to revise the schedule for train No. 1/2 "Almaty-Tashkent," making the departure and arrival times more convenient for passengers.

It is noteworthy that train No. 1/2 "Almaty-Tashkent" plays a vital role in the transportation connection between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Last year, it carried more than 72,000 passengers, underscoring the growing demand for this route. The distance between the two countries is 988 km.

Additionally, during the visit, discussions were held on exchanging experiences in passenger transport management, rolling stock maintenance, implementing information systems, and organizing online ticket sales.

Both "Passenger Transport" JSC and "Uzbekistan Temir Yullari" JSC reaffirmed their commitment to further developing cooperation to improve passenger service quality and stimulate growth in transport between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.