Defective Swiss wagons were sold to Kazakhstan for a lot of money

Defective Swiss wagons were sold to Kazakhstan for a lot of money. This is reported by the "Asian Express".

The national company "Kazakhstan Temir Zholy" (KTZ, Kazakhstan Railways) reports that the new wagons from Stadler do not meet the climatic conditions of Kazakhstan, which is why they freeze. It is also noted that their quality is generally considered unsatisfactory.

In addition to climate problems, defects were found in the brake system, diesel generator sets, fire extinguishing system, climate system, sanitary facilities.

Currently, more than 1,800 registered state freight cars remain unclaimed and idle.

In the autumn of 2025, it was reported that the passenger cars had successfully passed certification and were being prepared for transfer to the national operator — JSC KTZ. This information was confirmed by the director of Stadler Kazakhstan Sergey Leontiev.

In 2023, the national air carrier transferred an advance of approximately 147 billion tenge to the plant. In 2025, 43.3 billion tenge was additionally paid for the supply of 51 wagons. As a result, the state spent almost 190 billion tenge (about $ 380 million).

The delivery dates of the wagons were postponed again.

"Perhaps, instead of experimenting, it was worth simply purchasing reliable and proven wagons from our northern neighbor for decades. This, of course, would not give such an "international image", but it would save and avoid the current problems, as well as the loss of almost 190 billion. wasted. However, everything turned out as always," the publication writes.