Hyundai Rotem on track with first commercial operation in Uzbekistan

Korea’s homegrown high-speed train — made by heavy industry manufacturer Hyundai Rotem — has begun its first commercial operation in Uzbekistan, the company said Wednesday.

The train, named “Jaloliddin Manguberdi,” now operates on Uzbekistan’s longest rail line that connects its capital, Tashkent, with Khiva, a historic Silk Road city in the western region. The route extends about 1,020 kilometers (633 miles).

In 2024, Hyundai Rotem signed a contract to supply seven train sets to the Uzbek state railway authority O'zbekiston temir yo’llari. Each trainset is composed of six cars. The deal is valued at 270 billion won ($198 million). Delivery timelines have not been disclosed.

The train is based on Korea’s KTX-Eum, an environmentally friendly, low-emission model that entered domestic service in 2021. It has been further adapted to local conditions, with design modifications that enhance dust resistance to withstand Uzbekistan’s extreme heat and desert environment.

The train can reach speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour (155 mph) and accommodate up to 389 passengers, depending on configuration. The seating is divided into three types of cabin: VIP, business and economy.

Uzbekistan expects the new train service to improve its transportation infrastructure. Travel time between Tashkent and Khiva is expected to be cut by more than half, from about 15 hours to around seven. Khiva, a Unesco World Heritage site, is a popular destination for international tourists.

Hyundai Rotem plans to foster a joint-maintenance ecosystem with Uzbek authorities. In partnership with the Korea Railroad Corporation, more commonly known as Korail, it will support the expansion of local maintenance infrastructure and training programs.

Some 600 Korean suppliers and subcontractors involved in the project have also secured their first overseas commercial operation track record, along with access to the long-term maintenance and parts supply market.

“Going forward, we will continue to expand export footholds for Korea-made high-speed rail and focus our efforts on building a foundation for the Korean rail industries’ growth,” a Hyundai Rotem representative said.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

BY LEE SU-JEONG [[email protected]]