Kazakhstan: The Transport Minister Marat Karabayev announced it at the government session held in the end of November.
Passenger rolling stock. According to Mr. Karabayev, 1,200 coaches will be purchased by 2029, bringing the country’s fleet to more than 3,000 passenger coaches and reducing wear and tear to 38%. To date, the national operator Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) has only announced the purchase of 844 cars. Between 2023 and 2025, ZIKSTO, a local rolling stock manufacturer, will supply 307 coaches and Stadler will supply 537 coaches by 2029. The head of the transport ministry announced that a leasing company was established to purchase coaches, “In order to fulfil these tasks, it is proposed to set up a united leasing company that will provide domestic passenger coaches on lease with the possibility of subsequent purchase”, he said.
Locomotives. The Minister emphasised that 187 locomotives would be purchased next year and another 257 vehicles over the next three years. According to him, 185 locomotives will be purchased this year in addition to the approximately 1,800 locomotives currently in operation with a wear and tear rate of 61%. Wabtec and Alstom are now supplying locomotives under long-term contracts. Both companies have their own production facilities in the country, however CRRC imports its locomotives from China.
Freight rolling stock. Additionally, Karabayev stressed that KTZ’s plans include the purchase of 3,000 gondola cars by 2026, of which 800 units have already been put into service this year. According to the Ministry of Transport, the total fleet of freight cars amounts to 139,000 units, with 38,000 belonging to KTZ. In response to growing demand, Kazakhstan is expanding production of wagons. Recently, plans to build the country’s fifth car-building plant were revealed.
