Kazakhstan to launch Stadler passenger cars in late October–early November
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Kazakhstan plans to put Swiss-made Stadler passenger cars into service in late October to early November 2026, Vice Minister of Transport Zhanibek Taizhanov said at a government briefing. The timeline remains preliminary pending completion of brake and other technical tests.
Key Facts
- Vice Minister of Transport Zhanibek Taizhanov announced the launch window of late October to early November 2026 at a government briefing.
- The first 51 Stadler cars were delivered to Kazakhstan Temir Zholy in December 2025 but have not yet carried passengers.
- KTZ accepted the Stadler cars in August 2026 after the customer's acceptance procedures.
- Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov ordered in mid-June 2026 that the Stadler cars be put into service as soon as possible while meeting all safety requirements.
- In 2025, the government allocated 65.5 billion tenge through a budget loan to Samruk-Kazyna for passenger fleet renewal.
Launch Timeline
Vice Minister of Transport Zhanibek Taizhanov said at a government briefing that KTZ expects to put the Stadler cars into service in late October to early November 2026. He described the timeline as preliminary and dependent on the completion of all test procedures. Taizhanov said the launch could be postponed if additional work is required. The final decision on putting the cars into service will be made after the tests are completed.
Testing and Safety
KTZ is continuing tests on the Stadler cars, including the braking system and other technical parameters. Taizhanov said the cars require more thorough checks because they are a new model and a new brand for the company. During test runs, KTZ identified remarks that did not meet safety requirements, and additional checks were ordered to address them. The cars are already on KTZ's balance sheet, Taizhanov confirmed.
Delivery History
The first 51 Stadler cars were delivered to KTZ in December 2025 but have not yet carried ordinary passengers. In late May 2026, then-KTZ chairman Talgat Aldybergenov said the launch was delayed due to technical remarks. Aldybergenov was replaced by Elzhas Otinshiev on July 20, 2026, and KTZ accepted the Stadler cars a few weeks later. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov ordered in mid-June 2026 that the cars be put into service as soon as possible while meeting all technical safety requirements. In 2025, the government allocated 65.5 billion tenge through a budget loan to Samruk-Kazyna for passenger fleet renewal.