Astana Akim Announces Upcoming Launch of LRT

The long-delayed light rail transit (LRT) project, in the works since 2005, is finally nearing launch, Orda.kz reports.

The first train is scheduled to begin service on September 29 or 30, running between the Abu Dhabi Plaza complex and the bridge on Mangilik El Avenue. This phase will serve as a test run.

In the initial stages, trains will operate in test mode between one or two stations. We will extend the route each day. Full testing will take three to six months, Astana Akim Zhenis Kasymbek announced on the sidelines of the Majilis.

All 18 trains are expected to arrive in Astana by the end of the year and should be fully operational by January 2026. The fare will be set at 200 tenge.

The LRT project has been marred by corruption scandals. Over more than a decade, it has shifted from being the first president’s ambitious dream to a nationwide headache, while also becoming a heavy burden on the state budget. 

Original Author: Dilnaz Mamyrova