Jaloliddin Manguberdi high-speed train kicks off service between Tashkent and Khiva

The launch ceremony took place on the morning of May 5 at the Tashkent Central (Northern) railway station, attended by the First Deputy Chairman of Uzbekistan Railways, Hikmatulla Rakhmetov, South Korean Ambassador Won Do-Yeon, and a delegation from the manufacturer, Hyundai Rotem.

The new train is capable of reaching speeds of up to 250 km/h, covering the 1,022-kilometer distance between the capital and the historic city of Khiva in just 7.5 hours. This marks a significant improvement in regional connectivity, as the journey time is nearly twice as fast as existing express trains on the same route. The seven-car train, measuring 175 meters in length, has a total capacity of 389 seats and is specifically engineered to withstand Uzbekistan's extreme climate, operating reliably in temperatures ranging from –40 to +50 degrees Celsius with specialized protection against sandstorms.

Passenger comfort and modern technology are central features of the new rolling stock. The carriages are equipped with rotatable seats, video surveillance systems, and information screens displaying real-time maps and current travel speeds. To facilitate this high-speed service, a 450-kilometer section of the Bukhara-Urgench-Khiva railway line was electrified. Prior to the official launch, specialists from Uzbekistan Railways and Hyundai Rotem conducted extensive technical trials and safety inspections to ensure operational readiness.

The Jaloliddin Manguberdi service will operate three times a week, with scheduled stops in Samarkand, Bukhara, and Urgench. Departures from Tashkent are set for 7:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, arriving in Khiva at 14:31. Return trips from Khiva will depart at 7:20 on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, reaching Tashkent at 14:51.

Named after the historic military commander, this train is the first of six Hyundai Rotem compositions slated for delivery to Uzbekistan. The acquisition of this high-speed transport is being supported through preferential financing from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of the Export–Import Bank of Korea, a partnership recently reaffirmed during meetings between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and South Korean officials.