28.04.2025, 12:48
KTZ to Raise Freight Tariffs Annually Until 2026 to Repay Debt
Freight tariffs will increase by 24% annually from 2024 to 2026 to repay the 2.9 trillion tenge debt
The national company "Kazakhstan Temir Zholy" (KTZ) plans to increase railway freight tariffs by 24% annually over the next three years. This measure was approved by the State Commission for Economic Modernization and is aimed at stabilizing the company’s financial position.
According to the Samruk-Kazyna Fund, the initiative is related to the servicing of debt, which had reached 2.9 trillion tenge by the end of 2024. The borrowed funds were used for the implementation of major infrastructure projects, including the construction of a second track on the Dostyk–Moyynty section, as well as the renewal of rolling stock — notably the acquisition of new passenger carriages (Stadler and TVZ), Alstom electric locomotives, and Wabtec diesel locomotives.
In addition to tariff hikes, KTZ is focusing on the development of transit transportation. It plans to increase volumes through investments in rolling stock renewal, infrastructure modernization, expansion of terminal networks, and other investment initiatives. The company estimates that these measures will significantly boost revenue over the coming years.
Meanwhile, market participants have already noted that the actual rise in transportation costs for certain cargoes exceeds the announced 24% per year.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Supreme Audit Chamber, Alikhan Smailov, highlighted the risks of KTZ defaulting, attributing them to inefficient management and the transfer of high-profit services to private companies. In response, KTZ stated that, to improve its financial situation, the government had approved a plan to raise tariffs for the main railway network services over three years.
🔑 Key takeaways:
▫️ Freight tariffs will increase by 24% annually from 2024 to 2026 to repay the 2.9 trillion tenge debt.
▫️ The company is also focusing on transit transportation development and infrastructure upgrades to stabilize its finances.
▫️ The tariff hike plan was officially approved by the State Commission for Economic Modernization of Kazakhstan.