Russia, Tajikistan resume rail services interrupted for 2 years due to coronavirus pandemic

DUSHANBE. Aug 16 (Interfax) - The first passenger train in two years departed from Tajikistan's Kulyab to Volgograd on Tuesday night, the state-run Tajik Railways said on Tuesday.

"The train left Kulyab at 12:10 a.m. on August 16 and is scheduled to arrive in the Russian city of Volgograd on Friday, August 19," the statement said.

"Two more trains from Dushanbe and Khujand to Volgograd are scheduled for August 27 and September 7. Passengers from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, where the train will make stops, can also use this route," it said.

Trains from Kulyab to Volgograd will depart weekly on Tuesdays and arrive at the Volgograd-1 station on Fridays. They will go back on Fridays and arrive in Kulyab on Mondays. The train from Dushanbe to Volgograd will depart on Saturdays and return on Tuesdays and from Khujand to Volgograd on Wednesdays with return on Saturdays, respectively.

The trains will make stops for boarding and disembarking passengers in several populated areas in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia.

Traffic was restored after two years of restrictions on international passenger trains to Russia due to the spread of Covid-19 after high-level talks and with the leaderships of the railroads of both countries based on the Tajik government's order, as well as a telegram from Russian Railways.