Astana LRT to be extended to the old railway station

Tengrinews.kz – The Astana LRT is planned to be extended to the right bank of the capital. This was announced to journalists by Asylbek Duissebayev, Chairman of the Board of City Transportation Systems (CTS).

A press tour of LRT facilities is being held in Astana. The system is set to officially launch this weekend, May 16–17. Journalists asked Duissebayev whether trains would run to the right bank. According to him, such plans exist, but everything will depend on financing.

“We have now started work toward Kosshy, while contractors are still building there. We will also begin work there, on the right bank. Geological surveys are currently underway. We are actively working on it,” Asylbek Duissebayev said.

According to him, the LRT will be extended to the old railway station on the right bank. The operator is currently negotiating with banks on financing. Duissebayev said that interest from banks is now much higher, as they have seen the successful implementation of the first phase of the LRT.

“The LRT will go through Khan Shatyr, then along Kenesary, turn onto Zhenis and continue straight to the old railway station,” the chairman said.

He added that the same contractor that built the first phase will be responsible for constructing the new phase of the LRT. Officials promise that the project will cost “no more” than the facilities already built.

Earlier, CTS told journalists that the first passengers would be able to use the light rail transport system this week, on May 16–17.

The project is now in its final stage of preparation. Test runs of trains, safety system checks and infrastructure adjustments are continuing in the capital.

The LRT route will connect key points of the capital. The line will start at the international airport, where a train maintenance depot has also been built, and end at the Nurly Zhol railway station. There will be 18 stations along the route, passing through the city’s main business centers and residential districts.