Kazakhstan’s capital is preparing for an event that has been postponed so many times that people had almost stopped believing it would ever happen. Astana’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) is set to welcome its first passengers by May 17.

The train sets were manufactured in China specifically for Astana’s harsh climate. Test runs without passengers began in September 2025, and by April 2026, all 19 train sets had arrived in the capital. During the winter, the trains underwent testing in temperatures as low as -30°C.

Features and operations

Each train consists of four cars, measuring approximately 60 meters in length with a capacity of over 600 passengers. The system is fully autonomous (driverless), meaning the trains navigate and open doors at stations automatically. The interiors feature information screens and turnstiles at the entrances. There will be no ticket inspectors on board, as the turnstiles ensure that only paying passengers can enter the cars.

The trains will operate at speeds of 40–50 km/h. The journey from "Nurly Zhol" station to the airport will take about 40 minutes, with intervals ranging from 5 to 10 minutes depending on the section of the track. For comparison, the same route currently takes twice as long by taxi during rush hour.