AZERBAIJAN: Passenger services on the Baku – Ağdam route were relaunched on August 30, having been suspended since 1993 as a result of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The new service operated by national railway ADY takes around 4 h 40 min to complete the 371 km journey; it is worked by Stadler Flirt DŞ1 diesel multiple-units which offer a mix of standard, standard+, business and first class accommodation. ADY said the sleeper trains operating on the route 30 years ago had taken around 8½ h.
The train makes a round trip on Saturdays, calling at Biləcəri, Ucar, Ləki, Yevlax, Bərdə, Köçərli, Təzəkənd and the Ağdam rail and bus terminal.
ADY said the reopening of the railway to Ağdam was expected to contribute to the social and economic revival of the city, which had been devastated by the conflict. it would expand transport opportunities in the region and play a key role in Azerbaijan’s ‘Great Return’ programme, which covers the territories where the government has retaken control following the end of the long-running conflict.
