ŠKODA GROUP SIGNS CONTRACT TO SUPPLY 30 ELECTRIC TRAINS TO UZBEKISTAN

Škoda will supply Uzbekistan Railways with its wide-gauge electric train units that are already in production for rail operators in Latvia and Estonia. Škoda will begin production next year. The project is financed by Czech banks with the support of the insurance export agency EGAP.

Reliable vehicles for modern mobility
Škoda’s modern electric train units offer exceptional performance, reliability and power efficiency. The Uzbekistan Railways units will consist of four cars with a broad gauge, featuring ergonomic seating and a fully air-conditioned interior. Passengers will enjoy onboard Wi-Fi connectivity, and an advanced external and internal camera system will enhance security. The trains will also incorporate partial low-floor design, ensuring full accessibility for all passengers. Production of these units for Uzbekistan will take place at Škoda Group’s production facility in Ostrava, well experienced in manufacturing trains for broad gauge tracks. Train sets for Latvia and Estonia are currently in production there.

The rail network in the region is an important part of the Trans-Caspian international transport route, which is intricately linked to the extended Trans-European transport network. The so-called Central Corridor represents the last remaining transport artery between the Far East and the European Union. The Global Gateway strategy emphasises the stabilisation and strengthening of the transport capacity of the Central Corridor. The EU-Central Asia Summit held in Samarkand in November 2022 focused on strengthening sustainable transport links between the EU and Central Asia. Proposed measures include significant investment in rail infrastructure, rolling stock, port facilities and shipping on the Caspian Sea.



Visualisation of the new EMUs for Uzbekistan © Škoda Group