Kazakhstan overhauls railways with 754 new locomotives by 2030

Kazakhstan has made progress in modernising its railway fleet and improving efficiency. The country has also set ambitious targets for future upgrades and transit capacity. These changes aim to strengthen both passenger and freight services. Wear on mainline locomotives has dropped from 66% to 58%. In the passenger sector, the reduction has been even sharper, falling from 46% to 36% over five years. The country has now fully resolved its shortage of traction rolling stock.

Kazakhstan plans to purchase 754 locomotives and around 20,000 new freight cars by 2030. It also intends to deliver 746 passenger cars in the coming years. The goal is to update 90% of its passenger fleet within the same timeframe.

KTZ Chairman Talgat Aldybergenov has been tasked with ensuring transit shipments reach 55 million tons. However, recent performance fell short, with only 16 million tons transported against a target of 23 million tons. The railway sector is undergoing significant upgrades to improve reliability and capacity. New rolling stock and locomotives will support long-term growth. These measures are expected to boost transit volumes and service quality in the years ahead.