Urgench Airport and Khiva will be connected by electric trains and autonomous trolleybuses.
The President of Uzbekistan traveled along the new railway line between Urgench Airport and Khiva. A Chinese-made CR200J electric train is being deployed on the route. The President was also presented with 10 Yutong autonomous trolleybuses, which will also run from the airport to Khiva.
On Monday, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev toured the newly constructed railway line connecting Urgench Airport to Khiva Railway Station, his press service reported.
This project is the first in the country to directly connect an airport to the railway network. The route will be operated by a Chinese-made CR200J electric train. The six-car train is designed to carry approximately 400 passengers and can reach speeds of up to 160 km/h.
The project cost 225 billion soums. The 11-kilometer railway line includes a bridge, road crossings, and 25 culverts.
It is planned to transport approximately 650,000 local and foreign tourists annually. Travel time is 40 minutes.
In Khiva, the president was also presented with 10 new autonomous Yutong trolleybuses (made in China), which will operate between Urgench Airport and the Khiva railway station.
These trolleybuses can travel up to 100 km without being connected to the power grid and can accommodate 87 passengers. They are equipped with external and internal video surveillance cameras, a driver monitoring system, a lane departure warning, and automatic fire extinguishing.
The head of state emphasized that the integration of various modes of transport will improve convenience for residents and tourists.
Trolleybus service between Urgench and Khiva was launched in 1997. Khorezm Region is the only region in Uzbekistan where the trolleybus system has been preserved.
Initially, trolleybuses ran from Urgench Airport, but the route was later shortened to Urgench's central market. Currently, Skoda trolleybuses purchased in 2013 are in use. Of the nine existing machines, eight are in constant use.