Uzbekistan to raise train ticket prices again causing public concerns

According to the company, the price increase is necessary to cover rising costs associated with railway infrastructure, electricity, fuel, and transportation. The funds are also aimed at upgrading the fleet of high-speed electric trains, modernizing passenger carriages, improving railway station operations, and enhancing service quality.

However, the planned price hike is significant. Tickets for high-speed "Afrosiyob" trains will see the following increases:

• VIP class: 25%
• Business class: 25%
• Economy class: 20%

For other express trains like "Sharq," "Nasaf," and "Uzbekistan," ticket prices will increase by 30% across the board.

New prices for popular routes

"Afrosiyob" trains:

Tashkent—Bukhara:

• VIP: 994,000 UZS
• Business: 751,000 UZS
• Economy: 484,000 UZS

Tashkent—Karshi:

• VIP: 854,000 UZS
• Business: 634,000 UZS
• Economy: 406,000 UZS

Tashkent—Samarkand:

• VIP: 619,000 UZS
• Business: 450,000 UZS
• Economy: 294,000 UZS

This is not the first price hike for train services in Uzbekistan. In fact, 2024 witnessed several increases:

• On January 20, ticket prices for high-speed "Afrosiyob" trains and express trains like "Sharq," "Nasaf," and "Uzbekistan" were raised by 20%.
• On May 15, "Afrosiyob" tickets saw further increases: 20% for economy class, 30% for business class, and 40% for VIP class.
• On July 1, fares for local passenger trains, including "Sharq," "Nasaf," and "Uzbekistan," rose by 25%.

The government’s October 2023 decree on "Fundamental Reforms in Uzbekistan’s Railway Transport Sector" laid the groundwork for these adjustments, shifting from state-regulated tariffs to market-driven pricing mechanisms.

The cumulative effect of these price increases has left many citizens questioning the affordability of train travel, especially for essential routes like Tashkent-Samarkand. Critics argue that while modernization and improved services are important, the pace and scale of the hikes may disproportionately burden ordinary passengers.

Additionally, skepticism remains about whether the higher fares will genuinely lead to better services or simply offset rising operational costs. The company should provide details on how the additional revenue is utilized.