BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 21
By Ilkin Seyfaddini – Trend:
Uzbekistan may receive two high-speed Spanish trains in 2020, Uzbek Deputy Minister of Transport Davron Dekhkanov said at the session of the International Press Club on February 20, Trend reports with the reference to Uzbek media.
According to him, Uzbekistan is currently negotiating with a Spanish company. If sides can reach an agreement, Uzbekistan will be able to receive the high-speed trains this year.
In 2019, it was reported that Uzbekistan plans to purchase two Talgo-250 high-speed passenger electric trains and four carriages. Uzbekistan Railways signed a corresponding contract with Spanish Patentes Talgo S.L.U. following direct negotiations.
The Spanish government has agreed to provide a 57.5 million euro loan to Uzbekistan through the Corporate Internationalization Fund of Spanish Companies (FIEM). The loan is granted for 30 years with a grace period of 10 years at an annual rate of 0.05 percent.
The project on modernization of the Uzbek railway system is scheduled to be implemented from 2019 through 2021.
Currently, four high quality Afrosiyob trains manufactured by the Spanish company, are operated in the railway network connecting Samarkand, Jizzak, Bukhara, Karshi, Shahrisabz and Navoi cities.
Furthermore, Uzbekistan Railways has modernized existing system of electronic sale of railway tickets (E-ticket). It was launched in September 2019 and provided customers with a wider range of functions, such as ticket return and seat selection.
In addition, Uzbekistan Railways developed mobile application (IOS and Android) for the sale of electronic ticket.
The integration of e-Ticket system with international payment systems such as Master Card, Visa, Maestro, Union Pay and American Express is currently underway.
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