A new regulatory framework has been adopted in Uzbekistan establishing comprehensive rules for accessing and using the infrastructure of the public railway network. The regulation introduces a unified, transparent, and nondiscriminatory model that governs how carriers both state-owned and private interact with the country’s rail infrastructure, including tracks, stations, hubs, electrical systems, dispatching centers, signaling, communication networks, and safety systems.

The aim of the reform is to modernize the management of the railway sector, encourage private transport operators, and create reliable mechanisms for infrastructure financing, maintenance, and modernization.

Objectives and Conceptual Foundations

The newly introduced rules are designed to ensure that all carriers, regardless of ownership form, receive equal access to railway infrastructure. They aim to:

• increase the efficiency of infrastructure utilization;
• stimulate the involvement of private sector operators;
• establish a level competitive environment;
• strengthen the long-term financial sustainability of infrastructure maintenance and upgrades.

The framework defines the principles of transparency, fairness, and technological neutrality. Each carrier must receive the same opportunities for access, scheduling, capacity allocation, and service provision, while the infrastructure operator is obligated to act solely on the basis of unified standards and technical requirements.

General Structure of the Rules

The regulation outlines a complete system governing:

• definitions and key concepts used in railway operations;
• rights and responsibilities of the infrastructure operator;
• obligations and rights of carriers (transport service users);
• technical, operational, and safety requirements;
• procedures for submitting and approving applications for access;
• rules for allocating railway capacity and forming train schedules;
• mechanisms for managing disruptions, delays, repairs, and unexpected operational constraints;
• rules for providing coordinated services, including locomotive assistance, dispatching, inspection, and other technical functions;
• requirements for financial transparency and cost-based pricing;
• obligations for reporting, record-keeping, and information transparency;
• standardized forms and documentation, including the unified infrastructure access application form.

Definitions and Key Terms

The rules establish a unified terminology to ensure consistency across the industry. Among the terms included are:

• Infrastructure services - all services related to access to railway infrastructure, including traffic management, dispatching, signaling, power supply, technical inspection, placement, and routing of trains.
• Infrastructure objects - tracks, stations, depots, hubs, energy supply systems, communication networks, and other components forming the unified technological complex.
• Train characteristics - weight, length, composition, traction requirements, axle loads, braking systems, and other technical metrics required for scheduling and safe movement.
• Capacity allocation - the process of distributing available train paths among users in accordance with objective criteria, operational intensity, and infrastructure capabilities.
• Application (order request) - the standardized form submitted by carriers for obtaining the right to use specific infrastructure services within defined timeframes.

These terms serve as the foundation for the technical and operational regulations that follow.

Responsibilities of the Infrastructure Operator

The regulation imposes extensive responsibilities on the infrastructure operator, covering technical, operational, informational, and administrative obligations. Among them:

I. Technical readiness

The operator must ensure that all infrastructure objects remain in safe, operational condition. This includes:

• timely repairs and inspections;
• coordination of maintenance schedules;
• ensuring the reliability of signaling, power supply, and safety systems;
• preventing disruptions affecting train movements.

II. Provision of accurate and timely information

The operator must supply carriers with full and updated information on:

• available capacity;
• technical characteristics of routes and stations;
• schedule constraints and operational limitations;
• temporary restrictions caused by repairs or emergencies;
• conditions for the movement of different types of trains.

III. Non-discriminatory service provision

All carriers must receive infrastructure services:

• under equal conditions;
• with uniform technical and procedural requirements;
• without giving unnecessary preference to any company or transport type.

IV. Operational assistance

The operator must provide, when required:

• dispatching and traffic management;
• locomotive coupling or shifting assistance;
• technical inspection of trains;
• emergency response services.

V. Safety and compliance

The operator controls adherence to safety norms and may suspend or deny access if a carrier violates technical or safety requirements.

Rights and Obligations of Carriers

Carriers using the railway infrastructure must:

• comply strictly with safety standards;
• ensure train readiness, including braking systems, weight limitations, technical documentation, and crew qualifications;
• follow dispatching instructions and route assignments;
• provide accurate information on cargo types, train parameters, and schedules;
• inform the operator of any circumstances affecting safe train movements.

They also have the right to:

• receive infrastructure services under equal conditions;
• access all necessary information for planning their operations;
• challenge decisions they consider discriminatory or inconsistent with established rules.

Access Procedures and Application Requirements

A central element of the new framework is the modernized procedure for submitting and approving applications for infrastructure use.

Standardized requirements

Applications must include:

• carrier details;
• requested routes and times;
• technical characteristics of trains;
• safety-related information;
• supporting documentation proving compliance.

Clear review timelines

The operator must review applications within established timeframes, eliminating subjective delays and administrative uncertainty.

Contracting

Once an application is approved, a contract is signed defining:

• the scope of services;
• the terms of access;
• liabilities and responsibilities;
• pricing principles.

The regulation introduces a unified application form, simplifying the process and ensuring consistency across carriers.

Capacity Allocation and Scheduling

The rules set forth detailed mechanisms for forming and approving the train movement schedule.

The operator must:

• evaluate the technical feasibility of carrier requests;
• consider infrastructure capacity, repair schedules, and operational loads;
• balance competing applications based on transparent criteria;
• coordinate schedules across stations, hubs, and neighboring regions;
• ensure that safety margins and technical limits are never exceeded.

Carriers may request changes during operations, but such adjustments must not compromise the overall stability of the movement schedule.

Handling Disruptions and Emergency Situations

The regulation establishes procedures for:

• infrastructure failures;
• unexpected technical problems;
• delays caused by weather, accidents, or overloaded routes;
• cases where carriers violate safety or operational norms.

The operator may:

• reroute trains;
• adjust schedules;
• temporarily limit access;
• require additional inspections or documentation.

Carriers are obligated to cooperate fully and promptly.

Economic Principles and Payment Mechanisms

The document introduces a modern model of financial relations between carriers and the infrastructure operator, including:

Transparent pricing mechanism

Payment for infrastructure services is based on:

• the type and intensity of infrastructure use;
• the characteristics of train movement;
• actual operational costs;
• maintenance and modernization needs.

Use of revenue

Income generated from access fees must be directed toward:

• maintaining infrastructure;
• upgrading outdated equipment;
• improving safety systems;
• ensuring the long-term stability of the railway network.

Financial transparency

The operator is required to maintain transparent accounting and make financial information available upon request.

Supervision and Accountability

Compliance with the rules is monitored by relevant supervisory bodies. The infrastructure operator must regularly report on:

• the status of infrastructure;
• service provision statistics;
• financial operations;
• incidents, delays, and emergency responses.

Carriers may file complaints if they believe access conditions were applied unfairly or inconsistently.

Final Provisions

The regulation concludes by confirming that:

• its implementation will be continuously monitored;
• all related regulatory and technical acts must be brought into full alignment;
• any outdated norms are subject to revision or cancellation.

Conclusion

The new regulatory framework represents a major shift toward a more open, transparent, and competitive railway market. By introducing equal access conditions, strengthening the role of private operators, and defining comprehensive rules for the use of infrastructure, Uzbekistan takes an important step toward modernizing its transport sector and aligning it with international best practices.

The reform is expected to enhance efficiency, reduce delays, eliminate administrative barriers, and support sustainable development of the railway system.