Kazakhstan restores direct Almaty-Moscow train service after eight-year suspension

Kazakhstan has resumed direct passenger rail service between Almaty and Moscow for the first time since 2017, according to the national railway company KTZ.

The inaugural train departed Almaty-2 station on October 26, marking the restoration of a key transport link between Kazakhstan and Russia. KTZ noted that the carriages on the revived route have been modernised with domestically produced rolling stock manufactured by ZIKSTO JSC, Caliber.Az reports per Kazakh media.

The updated passenger cars feature improved sound insulation, air conditioning, and upgraded sanitary facilities. Special carriages have also been included to accommodate passengers with reduced mobility.

The new service consists of one compartment carriage with 36 seats and one open-plan carriage with 52 seats. The Almaty–Moscow carriages will travel as part of train No. 7/8 Almaty–Saratov until Saratov, where they will be coupled to train No. 85/86 Derbent–Moscow for the final leg to the Russian capital.

Trains will depart from Almaty-2 station at 20:20 local time, with return services from Moscow beginning on October 30. Between October 26 and 30, departures from Almaty will occur on even-numbered days; from November 1 to December 13, departures will switch to odd-numbered days.

By Sabina Mammadli