Ticket sales for new passenger trains with Stadler carriages open on November 5, with the first services departing Astana for Almaty on November 11 and for Semey on November 13, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy said, according to infohub.kz.
Train No. 3/4 "Nurly Zhol — Almaty-2" will run on the Astana–Almaty route, while train No. 153/154 "Nurly Zhol — Semey" will link the capital with Semey.
The company said the new carriages are produced at the Stadler Kazakhstan plant with the country's climate conditions and modern passenger transport requirements in mind. Compartment carriages seat 40 passengers, while open-plan carriages seat 56.
The carriages are equipped with climate control systems, individual lighting, 220 V sockets, USB and USB-C ports, and video surveillance systems. Special arrangements are provided for passengers with reduced mobility. The trains also include buffet cars offering hot meals, drinks and light snacks, the statement said.
Train No. 3/4 "Nurly Zhol — Almaty-2" will run daily. It departs Astana at 13:10 and arrives in Almaty at 08:30 the following day. From Almaty it departs at 12:12 and arrives in Astana at 07:03 the following day.
Train No. 153/154 "Nurly Zhol — Semey" will depart on odd-numbered days. From Astana it leaves at 16:40 and arrives in Semey at 06:10 the following day. From Semey it departs at 15:00 and arrives in Astana at 05:05 the following day.