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Videos circulating on social media showed newly launched LRT trains in Astana unexpectedly halting, leading to public speculation and jokes about the system's reliability. "City Transportation Systems" (CTS), the operator of the new transit line, has now provided an explanation for these incidents.

Passenger Safety Breaches Trigger Stoppages

CTS has stated that the temporary halts and emergency stops on the LRT line were a direct result of passengers violating safety regulations. These actions are interpreted by the automated system as potential threats to safety, prompting the trains to stop and requiring additional checks by the dispatch center.

Automated System and Emergency Protocols

The LRT system is fully automated, and any deviation from safety protocols triggers an immediate response. "Such actions are perceived by the system as a threat to safety, leading to the train stopping and requiring additional checks from the dispatch center," explained company representatives. CTS emphasized that each train is equipped with an LRT operator who can manually open doors after power is safely cut if necessary.

Surveillance and Legal Consequences

The company highlighted that all rule violations are captured by surveillance cameras located in stations and inside the train cars. "Materials on identified facts will be handed over to law enforcement agencies for criminal prosecution, as such actions pose a threat to passenger safety and affect the stable operation of the LRT," the CTS press service announced. This underscores the seriousness with which the operator is treating safety compliance.

The Astana LRT officially commenced operations on May 16, with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev inaugurating the service by taking the first ride from the airport station to the National Museum station.