The Russian Railways (RZD) Holding (fully state-owned railway company) is restoring direct passenger train service between Moscow and Dushanbe, which was interrupted six years ago. The first trip on the route is scheduled for June 21, RZD-Partner.RU reports.
“At the request of the railway administration of the Republic of Tajikistan and in coordination with the railway administrations of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, direct railway communication between Moscow and Dushanbe has been restored,” the RZD statement says.
The direct train service between the capitals of Tajikistan and Russia was suspended in March 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions on international passenger transportation that were imposed at that time.
According to the published schedule, train No. 423/424 will run once every two weeks. From Dushanbe, the train will depart on Sundays starting June 21 at 03:25 local time. Arrival at the Paveletsky station in Moscow is scheduled for Wednesdays at 22:08 Moscow time.
In the opposite direction, the train will start its journey on June 25. Departure from Moscow is scheduled for Thursdays at 06:05 Moscow time, with arrival in Dushanbe on Mondays at 02:48 local time.
The train route will pass through the territories of four countries — Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia. Stops for passenger boarding/alighting are provided in the cities of Bukhara, Nukus, Kungurat, Kandyagash, Aktobe, Iletsk, Orenburg, Samara, Syzran, Penza, Ryazhsk, and other populated areas.
Passengers will have access to economy class and compartment cars. The duration of the trip will be about four days.
RZD also reported that tickets can be purchased 45 days before the date of departure. In Dushanbe, ticket sales are already open, and the sale of travel documents for flights from Moscow will begin shortly.
