President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a newly introduced electric train for Tashkent — Hojikent (mountain settlement in Tashkent region, 70 km from the capital) route on 6 December, the president’s press service said.
The head of the state traveled to Hojikent aboard the new Russian-made train, EP3D, delivered in late November.
With six cars and seating for 586 passengers (and a total capacity of 1,154), the train is 1.5 times larger than older ER9 models. Operating at speeds of up to 120 km/h, it reduces travel time from 2 hours 15 minutes to just over an hour.
During the journey, president Mirziyoyev considered reports on railway infrastructure development, passenger service improvements, railway electrification and the landscaping of areas along the tracks, according to the statement.
President talks to prime minister Abdulla Aripov (right) and transport minister Ilhom Mahkamov.
He instructed to include the territories adjacent to the Tashkent — Hojikent railway line in the 2025 renovation program, calling for their cleanup and development. The president also emphasized the need to straighten winding sections of the route to increase daily express train operations and accommodate more passengers, his press service said.
In line with the Yashil Makon (Green Land) project, the head of the state advocated for greening railway embankments using drought-resistant plants suited to regions with limited water resources. He also suggested importing seedlings adapted to local climate and leveraging international expertise.
The EP3D train will operate on Tashkent — Hojikent route three times a day along with four existing routes on earlier model trains. The cars of the new train are equipped with climate control, Wi-Fi and spaces for bicycles.
By 2030, Uzbekistan plans to expand the fleet to 30 such trains, the state railway company said earlier.
