On railway transport (LRU-1006-son)

27.11.2024

Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Adopted by the Legislative Chamber on September 20, 2024 Approved by the Senate on September 30, 2024

Chapter 1. General Provisions

Article 1. Purpose of this Law

The purpose of this Law is to regulate relations in the field of railway transport.

Article 2. Legislation on railway transport

Legislation on railway transport consists of this Law and other legislative acts. If an international treaty of the Republic of Uzbekistan establishes rules other than those provided for in the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan on railway transport, the rules of the international treaty shall apply.

Article 3. Basic concepts

The following basic concepts are used in this Law:

baggage — items belonging to a passenger, accepted for carriage in a baggage car based on a travel document (ticket);

operator of cars (containers) — a legal entity owning cars (containers) by right of ownership or on other legitimate grounds, participating in the transportation process by providing services based on a contract with a railway carrier and specified in the shipping documents;

passenger — an individual who has a travel document and is traveling on a train or is located on the territory of a railway station (terminal) or a passenger platform immediately before or after a trip;

travel document (ticket) — a transportation document of a standard form certifying the conclusion of a contract for the carriage of a passenger by public railway transport;

carrier — a legal entity that holds a license for the transportation of passengers and goods by railway transport in domestic and international traffic, having undertaken the obligation under a railway transport contract to deliver a passenger, as well as baggage, freight-baggage, cargo, postal, and courier shipments entrusted to it by the consignor (sender) from the point of origin to the point of destination, and to issue them to the consignee (recipient);

transportation process — a set of organizationally and technologically interrelated actions and operations performed by public railway transport enterprises, the carrier, the operator of cars (containers), and the infrastructure operator during the preparation, implementation, and completion of the transportation of passengers and goods;

transportation document — a document in the form of a travel document (ticket), baggage receipt, railway bill of lading, electronic data carrier card, or other media confirming the conclusion of a carriage contract;

railway station — a separate point having additional groups of tracks, besides the main tracks, allowing for operations such as the reception, dispatch, crossing, and passing of trains, handling of baggage and cargo, passenger service, and shunting work;

railway transport — a type of transport consisting of public and non-public railway transport intended to meet the needs of individuals or legal entities for transportation along railway tracks;

railway transport infrastructure — a technological complex including railway tracks, stations, power supply devices, communication networks, signaling, centralization and blocking systems, information complexes, traffic management systems, and related buildings and equipment;

railway transport object — railway transport infrastructure in operation and its components, terminals, rolling stock, and both public and non-public railway transport;

railway tracks of non-public use — branch lines adjoining public tracks directly or through other access tracks, intended for serving specific consignors/consignees or for the owner's technological needs;

railway transport of non-public use — a set of production-technological complexes belonging to legal entities, including rolling stock and infrastructure intended for contract-based or personal needs in places of non-public use;

railway tracks of public use — tracks belonging to the authorized organization in the field of public railway transport, open for public operations including train passage, cargo handling, and passenger service within the right-of-way;

railway transport of public use — a unified production-technological complex including infrastructure, rolling stock, and other property intended to meet transportation needs based on public contracts;

operator of public railway transport infrastructure (hereinafter — infrastructure operator) — a legal entity belonging to the authorized organization that carries out the operation, maintenance, modernization, and construction of public railway infrastructure and provides usage services;

public railway transport enterprises — structural subdivisions and subsidiary business companies of the authorized organization whose primary activity is directly related to the preparation and provision of the transportation process;

cargo — an object accepted for railway transportation by a public railway transport enterprise or carrier, which is responsible for its timely delivery and safety;

freight-baggage — an object carried in passenger and mail-baggage trains;

consignor (sender) — an individual or legal entity acting in their own name or on behalf of the cargo owner and specified in the transportation documents;

consignee (recipient) — an individual or legal entity authorized to receive cargo or freight-baggage;

hand luggage — personal items of a passenger with weight and size limitations, carried in a passenger car free of charge;

railway rolling stock (hereinafter — rolling stock) — locomotives, freight/passenger cars, multiple-unit rolling stock, and other vehicles intended for railway operations.

Article 4. Main principles of railway transport activity

The main principles of railway transport activity are:

legitimacy;

safety;

openness and transparency;

sustainability;

environmental friendliness;

accessibility and quality of services;

equality in the use of infrastructure;

integrity and continuity of functioning.

Chapter 2. State Regulation of the Railway Transport Sector

Article 5. Main directions of state policy in the field of railway transport

The main directions of state policy in the field of railway transport consist of the following:

ensuring the safety of railway transportation of passengers and goods;

compliance with environmental legislation during the construction and operation of railway transport objects;

improving the regulatory legal framework in the field of railway transport;

creating the necessary conditions for the operation of railway transport on the basis of free market relations and increasing the share of the private sector in the industry;

creating conditions for the development of competition in railway transport and related works and services;

maintaining the mobilization readiness of railway transport;

determining the strategy for the development of railway transport;

creating equal conditions for business entities to carry out activities in the field of railway transport;

attracting foreign investments for the purpose of construction, modernization, and reconstruction of the railway network;

organizing research and development work on railway transport and implementing priority projects for the development of the railway network on the basis of public-private partnership;

improving the system of training, retraining, and professional development of personnel in the field of railway transport, and introducing modern innovative methods and education standards on a systematic basis, taking into account current and future needs.

Article 6. Methods of state regulation in the field of railway transport

State regulation in the field of railway transport is carried out through licensing, the use of permissive procedures, technical regulation, tariff policy, ensuring state regulation over compliance with legislation on railway transport, as well as the use of other methods provided for by legislation.

State bodies and their officials have no right to interfere in the activities of railway transport workers related to the transportation process or to involve them in other works, except in cases of emergency situations of a natural and man-made nature or the introduction of a state of emergency.

Article 7. Powers of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of railway transport

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan:

coordinates the activities of republican executive authorities and hokimiyats in the field of railway transport;

determines the strategy for sustainable development in the field of railway transport;

approves the program of investment projects carried out at the expense of funds from foreign government financial organizations and international financial institutions implemented under a state guarantee, as well as funds from the State Budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

approves the procedure for forming tariffs for public railway transport services regulated by the state;

approves the procedure for compensating losses from the State Budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan incurred from providing passenger transportation services at tariffs regulated by the state;

determines the procedure for licensing and passing permissive procedures in the field of railway transport;

approves the Railway Transport Charter, providing for the rights, obligations, and liability of participants in the transportation process, as well as individuals or legal entities using railway transport services;

approves the rules for the carriage of passengers, baggage, and freight-baggage by railway transport;

approves the procedure for checking the hand luggage and baggage of passengers and visitors at railway stations (terminals), and the procedure for their stay at railway stations;

approves the rules for access to and use of public railway transport infrastructure services;

takes measures to develop international cooperation in the field of railway transport.

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan may also exercise other powers in accordance with legislation.

Article 8. Powers of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of railway transport

The Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan:

implements a unified state policy in the field of railway transport;

approves programs for the development, technical, and technological modernization in the field of railway transport;

develops, coordinates, and organizes the implementation of investment projects and other programs, concepts, and strategies, as well as complex solutions for development in the field of railway transport, taking into account the interests of users;

coordinates measures to ensure the safety of railway transportation;

implements international cooperation in the field of railway transport within its powers;

maintains a unified registry of information on operators of cars (containers);

approves rules for the carriage of goods by railway transport;

approves rules for the technical operation of railway transport;

submits proposals on railway transportation tariffs developed by the authorized organization in the field of public railway transport;

carries out licensing and permissive procedures in the field of railway transport in accordance with legislation.

The Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan may also exercise other powers in accordance with legislation.

Article 9. Powers of local executive authorities in the field of railway transport

Local executive authorities (hokimiyats):

participate in organizing and conducting information and awareness-raising work on issues of compliance with safety requirements in railway transport, as well as fire and environmental safety;

coordinate the work of territorial subdivisions of republican executive authorities and economic associations in the event of emergency situations of a natural and man-made nature, the introduction of a state of emergency, or incidents related to the violation of traffic and transportation safety requirements in railway transport; they provide assistance in eliminating such situations and their consequences, and organize medical assistance for victims;

ensure compliance with requirements for the protection zones of railway transport according to urban planning norms and rules, and ensure that land plots in the protection zones of railway transport are not allocated or leased without the consent of the authorized organization in the field of public railway transport.

Hokimiyats may also exercise other powers in accordance with legislation.

Article 10. Powers of the state regulatory body in the field of railway transport

The Transport Inspection under the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan and its territorial subdivisions are the bodies exercising state regulation in the field of railway transport (hereinafter — the state regulatory body).

The state regulatory body:

exercises state regulation over compliance by railway transport enterprises and organizations with the requirements of this Law and other legislative acts in the field of railway transport to ensure the safety of passenger and cargo transportation on public and non-public railway tracks;

exercises state regulation within its competence over compliance with the rules for the carriage of passengers, baggage, freight-baggage, and cargo by railway transport;

monitors compliance with technological processes during all types of repair of railway products at enterprises and organizations in accordance with the legislation on technical regulation;

registers rolling stock and railway transport infrastructure objects to maintain their records and the Unified Registry, and issues certificates for the right to drive rolling stock;

participates in the acceptance of railway transport infrastructure objects;

organizes and carries out official investigations of incidents related to the violation of traffic and transportation safety requirements in railway transport.

The state regulatory body may also exercise other powers in accordance with legislation.

Article 11. Powers of the authorized organization in the field of public railway transport

Joint-Stock Company "Oʻzbekiston Temir Yoʻllari" is the authorized organization in the field of public railway transport (hereinafter — the authorized organization).

The authorized organization:

determines the general directions for the development of public railway transport and ensures the coordination of activities of the infrastructure operator, public railway transport enterprises and carriers, and other affiliated legal entities;

ensures the stable and efficient operation of public railway transport and transportation safety, and improves the quality of provided transport services;

conducts information and awareness-raising work among the general public and users on the safe operation of railway transport and compliance with fire and environmental safety requirements;

strengthens the material and technical base, contributes to the further development of the railway network and the increase of its capacity, and widely introduces progressive technologies and modern management methods;

attracts investments for the modernization, improvement, and development of public railway transport;

ensures the fulfillment of measures for mobilization preparation and civil protection in the field of railway transport during emergency situations of a natural and man-made nature, the introduction of a state of emergency, or the introduction of martial law, including the entire period of hostilities;

if necessary, attracts railway rolling stock and other equipment from enterprises, organizations, and Ministries to eliminate the consequences of emergencies or during a state of emergency/martial law;

prevents rolling stock that does not meet regulatory and technical requirements from entering public railway tracks;

prevents the provision of rolling stock to non-public railway tracks that do not meet regulatory and technical requirements;

gives priority to special military trains for the rapid (operational) implementation of military transportation by railway transport during emergencies or the introduction of a state of emergency/martial law;

timely reports to relevant state bodies regarding emergencies and takes immediate measures to eliminate their consequences;

organizes and ensures international cooperation in the field of railway transport and international transportation of passengers and goods within its powers.

The authorized organization may also exercise other powers in accordance with legislation.

Article 12. Public railway transport infrastructure

Carriers perform transportation on public railway tracks in accordance with the Rules of access to and use of public railway transport infrastructure services.

Access to public railway transport infrastructure services is granted by the infrastructure operator.

The infrastructure operator is obliged to provide non-discriminatory access to public railway transport infrastructure services and to grant carriers an equal right to use this infrastructure.

In the event of discriminatory actions by the infrastructure operator against carriers or car (container) operators, the infrastructure operator shall be held liable for such actions in accordance with legislation.

The infrastructure operator carries out the operation, routine maintenance, modernization, and construction of public railway tracks and other infrastructure objects of public railway transport.

The operation and routine maintenance of public railway transport infrastructure are financed primarily at the expense of funds received from the services of operating public railway transport infrastructure.

Chapter 3. Types of railway communications. Transportation. Rights and obligations of passengers, carriers, and car (container) operators

Article 13. Types of railway communications and transportation

Railway communications and transportation are subdivided into the following types:

internal communications — transportation of passengers, baggage, freight-baggage, cargo, postal, and courier shipments within the Republic of Uzbekistan;

international communications — transportation of passengers, baggage, freight-baggage, cargo, postal, and courier shipments between the Republic of Uzbekistan and other states;

direct mixed communications — mixed transportation of passengers, baggage, freight-baggage, cargo, postal, and courier shipments by different types of transport under a single transportation document issued for the entire route. Direct mixed communications may be both internal and international;

transit transportation — transportation ensuring the movement of passengers, baggage, freight-baggage, cargo, postal, and courier shipments through the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan by railway transport, if such movement is only part of a route where the points of departure and destination are outside the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as transportation carried out by the railway transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan through the territory of foreign states;

special transportation — transportation ensuring the transport of special types of cargo to satisfy particularly important state needs, including defense needs.

Article 14. Organization of the transportation of passengers, baggage, freight-baggage, cargo, postal, and courier shipments on railway transport

Public railway transport enterprises, the carrier, the infrastructure operator, the operator of cars (containers), the owner of non-public railway tracks, the passenger, the consignor (sender), the consignee (recipient), and the freight forwarder (hereinafter — participants in the transportation process) shall carry out the transportation of passengers, baggage, freight-baggage, cargo, postal, and courier shipments by railway transport on the basis of this Law, international treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of railway transport, the Railway Transport Charter, transportation rules, rules for access to and use of public railway transport infrastructure services, and other legislative acts.

The carrier is not entitled to refuse transportation to a passenger, consignor (sender), consignee (recipient), or freight forwarder who has paid for and correctly executed the transportation documents for travel or for the carriage of baggage, freight-baggage, cargo, postal, and courier shipments, except in cases provided for by legislation.

Participants in the transportation process who do not have their own rolling stock shall use the services of the operator of cars (containers) or the infrastructure operator on the basis of a contract.

The transportation of cargo by railway transport is carried out in accordance with the orders of consignors. The forms of orders for cargo transportation, the procedure for their submission, execution, and accounting, as well as the list of cargo transported by railway transport, are established by the Rules for cargo transportation on the railway transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The transportation of military cargo and personnel of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan on railway tracks during the introduction of martial law, including the entire period of hostilities, shall be carried out as a priority.

Article 15. Organization of cargo transportation

In accordance with the cargo transportation contract, public railway transport enterprises and carriers undertake to deliver the cargo entrusted to them by the consignor to the destination railway station on time and in safe condition, observing the terms of its transportation, and to issue it to the consignee; the consignor (consignee) undertakes to pay for the cargo transportation and ensure its reception.

The contract for the carriage of cargo by railway transport is executed by drawing up a railway transport bill of lading.

The cargo transportation contract is considered concluded from the moment the receipt for the acceptance of the cargo is issued to the consignor, with the calendar stamp of the departure station placed on the railway transport bill of lading (on paper or electronic media).

From the moment of notification of the arrival of the cargo at the destination, the rights and obligations under the transportation contract pass to the consignee.

The consignee is entitled to demand from the consignor compensation for costs and damages paid to the carrier due to the improper actions of the consignor.

Article 16. Railway transport bill of lading

The consignor is obliged, when presenting cargo for transportation, to provide the carrier with a railway transport bill of lading for each shipment, and in necessary cases provided for by legislative acts, other documents as well (certificate, license, veterinary certificate, customs declarations).

The form of the railway transport bill of lading and other transportation documents, and the procedure for their execution, are determined by the Rules for cargo transportation on the railway transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The consignor is responsible for the accuracy of the information entered by them into the railway transport bill of lading.

Article 17. Fee for cargo transportation

The fee for cargo transportation is paid by the consignor or freight forwarder prior to the moment of dispatch, unless otherwise provided for by the cargo transportation contract. Payment for additional work and services related to the transportation and delivery of cargo performed at the request of the consignor, consignee, or freight forwarder is carried out in accordance with the agreement of the parties.

The fee for cargo transportation is collected based on the calculation for the shortest distance over which the cargo transportation is carried out.

The determination of the shortest distance for the transportation of large-sized (out-of-gauge) and heavy cargo is carried out taking into account the technical capabilities and capacity of public railway tracks for the transportation of such cargo.

Public railway transport enterprises and the carrier have the right to retain the cargo transferred to them for transportation for the purpose of ensuring the fee for cargo transportation and other due payments.

The public railway transport enterprise or the carrier, in the presence of a debt for transportation by the consignor, consignee, or freight forwarder, as well as in the case of untimely payment, may subsequently refuse to conclude a transportation contract until the debt is settled.

Upon performing the actions provided for in part five of this Article, the guilty party (consignor, consignee, or freight forwarder) shall pay the railway transport enterprise or the carrier a fee for the use of cars and containers for the entire period of delay.

Article 18. Cargo delivery deadlines

The carrier is obliged to deliver the cargo to the destination railway station within the timeframe determined by the cargo transportation contract in accordance with the Rules for cargo transportation on the railway transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The cargo is considered delivered on time if, before the expiration of the delivery period, it is delivered to the destination and issued to the consignee or placed on the reception-delivery (exhibition) tracks.

In the event that the placement of cargo on the reception-delivery (exhibition) tracks is delayed due to the fault of the consignor, consignee, or owner of non-public railway tracks (busy unloading front, non-payment of the fee for cargo transportation and other payments due to the public railway transport enterprise or carrier in accordance with the cargo transportation contract), the cargo is considered delivered on time.

Article 19. Fee for the use of cars and containers and for the idle time (stoppage, delay) of rolling stock on public railway tracks

The fee for the use of cars and containers and for the idle time (stoppage, delay) of rolling stock on public railway tracks is paid by the consignor, consignee, or owner of non-public railway tracks to the public railway transport enterprise or carrier:

for the entire time the cars and containers are with the consignors, consignees, or owners of non-public railway tracks for the performance of loading (unloading) and shunting operations;

for the duration of the idle time (stoppage, delay) of rolling stock on public railway tracks due to the fault of consignors, consignees, or owners of non-public railway tracks.

The amounts of the fee are established in accordance with legislation.

Article 20. Organization of the transportation of passengers, baggage, and freight-baggage

Under the passenger transportation contract, the public railway transport enterprise or the carrier undertakes to transport the passenger to the destination, providing them with a seat on the train according to the travel document (ticket), and the passenger is obliged to pay the fare.

Under the contract for the carriage of baggage or freight-baggage, the public railway transport enterprise or the carrier is obliged to transport the baggage or freight-baggage to the destination, and the passenger (sender) is obliged to pay for its carriage.

The contract for the carriage of a passenger is executed with a travel document (ticket), for the carriage of baggage — with a baggage receipt, and for the carriage of freight-baggage — with a freight-baggage receipt.

Public railway transport enterprises and the carrier are obliged to ensure the sale of the travel document (ticket) to the destination station specified by the passenger. The public railway transport enterprise or the carrier may organize the sale of travel documents (tickets) through ticket offices, electronic terminals, and the official website on the global information network Internet in the manner established by the Rules for the carriage of passengers, baggage, and freight-baggage by railway transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

A public railway transport enterprise or carrier that fails to provide a seat to a passenger according to the travel document (ticket) or refuses to continue transportation, or fails to deliver baggage and freight-baggage to the indicated destination according to the baggage and freight-baggage receipts, is obliged to deliver the passenger, baggage, and freight-baggage to the destination at its own expense or compensate the passenger (sender) for all damages caused due to the improper fulfillment of the transportation contract.

Passengers must be provided with timely and reliable information on the time of departure and arrival of trains, the cost of travel, the carriage of baggage and freight-baggage, the operating hours of railway ticket offices, storage rooms located in terminal premises, the services provided to passengers, as well as other necessary information on the work of public railway transport enterprises.

To protect the lives and health of passengers and railway transport workers and to ensure the safety of railway transportation, authorized bodies may, in the established manner, carry out the inspection of hand luggage, baggage, and the personal inspection of passengers and other persons at the entrance to the terminal. If an inspection is refused, entry to the terminal is prohibited, and passengers are not allowed for transportation.

Article 21. Privileged travel of passengers on public railway transport

Travel documents (tickets) for railway transport are sold to passengers at full cost.

Privileges for travel on railway transport may be established for certain categories of citizens in accordance with legislation. In such cases, the procedure for settlements with public railway transport enterprises and the carrier is determined by legislation.

Article 22. Rights and obligations of a passenger on railway transport

The passenger has the right:

to purchase a travel document (ticket) for any train and for any car to the destination station named by them that is open for passenger transportation along the train routes;

to receive a seat in a train car according to the purchased travel document (ticket);

to carry one child under the age of five free of charge without providing a separate seat. When traveling with more than one child under the age of five, one of them is carried free of charge, and for the others, a travel document is issued at the children's tariff with a separate seat. For children aged five to ten, a travel document is also issued at the children's tariff with a separate seat;

to carry hand luggage weighing no more than thirty-six kilograms free of charge for one full travel document or a travel document at the children's tariff. Hand luggage exceeding this weight must be handed over to the baggage car. Passengers from among persons with disabilities and limited mobility groups additionally have the right to carry free of charge technical auxiliary (compensatory) means and special mobility devices intended for personal use;

to return the travel document (ticket) to the carrier and receive a refund of the fare and baggage carriage fee (and the sender, the baggage or freight-baggage carriage fee) in the manner established by the Rules for the carriage of passengers, baggage, and freight-baggage on the railway transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

to extend the validity period of the travel document (ticket) in the manner established by the Rules for the carriage of passengers, baggage, and freight-baggage on the railway transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan;

to depart on a passenger train leaving earlier than the train for which the travel document (ticket) was purchased, provided seats are available and changes are made to the travel document (ticket);

to hand over baggage for carriage for an established fee;

to receive a duplicate of a previously purchased travel document (ticket) from the carrier (ticket offices or passenger agencies) upon written request in the event of its damage or loss, in the manner established by the Rules for the carriage of passengers, baggage, and freight-baggage on the railway transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan. A duplicate is not issued for previously returned travel documents (tickets).

The passenger is obliged:

to present a document proving their identity when purchasing a travel document (ticket), upon boarding the train, and during the inspection of the travel document (ticket) during the journey, except for suburban trains;

to have a travel document (ticket) upon boarding the train and during the journey until its conclusion;

to observe public order, the rules for using passenger cars and objects intended for serving passenger transportation, and to treat the carrier's property with care and observe fire safety rules both during the journey and in waiting areas.

The passenger may also have other obligations in accordance with legislation and the transportation contract.

Article 23. Carriage of baggage and freight-baggage

The carrier is obliged to accept baggage and freight-baggage from a passenger or sender and dispatch it to any railway station open for these operations.

A passenger's baggage is accepted according to the travel document (ticket), and a sender's freight-baggage is accepted according to a transportation document (freight-baggage receipt) without the presentation of a travel document (ticket).

The baggage and freight-baggage of a passenger (sender) are dispatched on the very first train that has a baggage car. In this case, the carrier is obliged to ensure the priority dispatch of the baggage and freight-baggage of the passenger (sender). Baggage and freight-baggage following the route indicated in the transportation documents (travel document, baggage, and freight-baggage receipts) must be dispatched on the train the passenger is traveling on or the very first train that includes a baggage car.

The passenger (sender) is entitled to declare the value of the baggage upon delivery and is obliged to declare the value of the freight-baggage upon delivery.

Items and objects that, by their dimensions, packaging, and properties, can be loaded and placed in a baggage car without difficulty and cannot cause damage to the carrier's property or the baggage and freight-baggage of other passengers (senders) are accepted for carriage in baggage and freight-baggage.

Article 24. Delivery timeframe for baggage and freight-baggage

The delivery timeframe for baggage and freight-baggage is determined by the travel time of the passenger train by which the transportation is carried out to the destination railway station according to the train schedule.

If the carriage of baggage or freight-baggage is carried out with reloading during the journey, the delivery timeframe is increased by one day for each reloading.

Baggage and freight-baggage are issued to the passenger (recipient) at the destination station upon presentation of the baggage or freight-baggage receipts and a document proving the identity of the person authorized to receive it.

The issuance of baggage and freight-baggage is carried out during the time when the railway station is open for passenger transportation operations.

Article 25. Transportation of postal and courier shipments by railway transport

The transportation of postal and courier shipments on railway transport is carried out in postal cars in the manner established by legislation.

Article 26. Rights and obligations of the carrier

The carrier has the right:

to freely establish prices for transportation in accordance with price-setting rules, except in cases where regulated tariffs are established;

to refuse transportation in circumstances that lead to a threat to the lives and health of citizens, traffic safety, or the violation of environmental and sanitary norms or other illegal actions (inaction).

The carrier may have other rights in accordance with legislation and the transportation contract.

The carrier is obliged:

to hold an appropriate license for the transportation of passengers and goods by railway transport in internal and international communications;

to own, by right of ownership or other legitimate basis, rolling stock intended for carrying out transportation that has passed state registration;

to carry out transportation using rolling stock certified in the established manner;

to ensure the fulfillment of safety requirements for the movement and operation of railway transport;

to ensure the safety of the passenger, the creation of necessary comforts and service conditions for them, and in the case of baggage and freight-baggage delivery by a passenger, their timely transportation and safety;

to ensure access to rolling stock, information, and communication means for passengers from among persons with disabilities and limited mobility groups, and create necessary conditions during the provision of other services related to railway transportation;

to demand a copy of the certificate of conformity from the consignor for cargo being dispatched that is subject to mandatory certification;

to carry out the insurance of its civil liability in accordance with legislation.

The carrier may also have other obligations in accordance with legislation and the transportation contract.

Article 27. Rights and obligations of the operator of cars (containers)

The operator of cars (containers) has the right:

to provide services for the provision of cars (containers) owned by them on a paid basis to the consignor, consignee, carrier, or other individuals or legal entities interested in carrying out transportation using the indicated cars (containers) on the basis of appropriate contracts;

to freely establish prices for the provision of their services in accordance with price-setting rules.

The operator of cars (containers) may have other rights in accordance with legislation and the contract for the provision of operator services.

The operator of cars (containers) is obliged:

to observe the provisions of this Law, as well as safety requirements on railway transport established by other legislative acts;

to own cars (containers) by right of ownership or another legitimate basis;

to maintain cars (containers) and other objects necessary for carrying out operator activities in proper technical condition at its own expense;

to have qualified workers;

to allow persons who meet the appropriate qualification requirements and do not have medical contraindications for the indicated work to perform their duties;

to provide, as a priority on a contractual basis, cars (containers) necessary for the performance of such transportation to carriers tasked with carrying out military and customs transportation, transportation related to ensuring the state's defense capability, and eliminating the consequences of emergency situations of a natural and man-made nature or an introduced state of emergency;

to provide information to the state regulatory body or its territorial subdivision on railway transport incidents and other events related to the violation of safety rules for movement and operation of railway transport during transportation using the operator's cars (containers), the reasons for their occurrence, and the measures taken.

Operators of cars (containers) shall interact with carriers and (or) the infrastructure operator, including during the implementation of the transportation process, on the basis of contracts.

Chapter 4. Railway Transport Tariffs. Financial and Economic Activity

Article 28. Tariffs for transportation by railway transport

The following types of transportation tariffs are applied in public railway transport:

tariffs for the carriage of cargo;

tariffs for the carriage of passengers;

tariffs for the carriage of baggage and freight-baggage;

tariffs for the carriage of postal and courier shipments.

Public railway transport tariffs are divided into tariffs for internal (domestic) communications and tariffs for international communications.

The structural components of the types of railway transport tariffs consist of the following:

public railway transport infrastructure services;

traction locomotive services;

the portion covering car (wagon) costs.

Tariffs for public railway transport in international communications (including transit transportation) are established in accordance with the international treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Railway transport tariffs, fees, and charges that are not regulated in accordance with this Law are established on a contractual basis and monitored in accordance with competition legislation.

The authorized organization ensures the constant publication of information regarding the types of transportation tariffs applied in public railway transport and the dynamics of their changes, broken down by cargo and types of rolling stock, in the mass media.

Article 29. State-regulated transportation tariffs in public railway transport

Transportation tariffs established for the following are state-regulated tariffs:

provision of public railway transport infrastructure services in internal communications;

provision of locomotive traction services on public railway tracks in internal communications;

transportation of passengers in internal communications, except for the transportation of passengers on high-speed and express trains.

State-regulated transportation tariffs are established by a collegial body authorized by a Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

State-regulated transportation tariffs are formed taking into account:

economic justification (cost, necessary profit ensuring non-loss-making activity, as well as expenses for maintaining the authorized organization and the development and modernization of public railway transport);

transparency and predictability;

ensuring the development of a competitive environment in the field of railway transportation;

encouraging entities providing services at state-regulated tariffs to optimize costs without harming traffic safety and the quality of services.

Article 30. Compensation for carrier losses

Losses incurred from the transportation of passengers at state-regulated tariffs shall be compensated in full at the expense of the State Budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Discounts on tariffs for the carriage of cargo by railway transport in internal communications are not granted.

Discounts on tariffs for the carriage of cargo by public railway transport in international communications are established in accordance with the international treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The procedure for compensating the losses specified in part one of this Article at the expense of the State Budget shall be established by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Article 31. Financial and economic activity in railway transport

Financial and economic activity in public railway transport is carried out at the expense of income from its own economic activity, funds from the State budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the part regarding the compensation of losses related to the transportation of passengers in internal communications (except for high-speed and express trains), and other sources not prohibited by legislation.

Centralized insurance and reserve funds may be established by the authorized organization to solve tasks for the development of public railway transport.

Settlements of consignors (senders), consignees (recipients), and freight forwarders with public railway transport enterprises, carriers, and infrastructure operators for the carriage of cargo and freight-baggage, cargo operations, transport-expedition services, and the use of rolling stock, as well as the payment of penalties for non-fulfillment of contractual obligations and damage caused to public railway transport enterprises, shall be carried out in the manner established by legislation.

The financing of suburban passenger transportation may be carried out by hokimiyats at the expense of local budget funds or by interested an individuals or legal entities.

Dividends payable to the State Budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan from the state share in the activities of carriers, car (container) operators, and infrastructure operators, as well as from the economic activities of terminals, shall remain at their disposal on the condition that they are directed toward the development of railway transport objects. This does not apply to projects implemented on the basis of a concession agreement or a public-private partnership agreement.

Article 32. Investments in railway transport

The state creates conditions for attracting investments for the development of railway transport.

The construction, renewal, reconstruction, and modernization of public railway transport objects are carried out at the expense of the authorized organization's and infrastructure operator's own funds (including funds in the form of dividends payable to the State Budget), funds from foreign government financial organizations and international financial institutions attracted under a state guarantee, the State Budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as on the basis of public-private partnership agreements, funds of an individuals or legal entities, and other sources not prohibited by legislation.

The construction of non-public railway tracks, stopping points, cargo yards, and other objects of public railway transport is carried out at the initiative of interested an individuals or legal entities and at the expense of their funds, as well as other sources not prohibited by legislation, in the established manner.

The use of State Budget funds allocated for the construction, renewal, reconstruction, and modernization of railway transport objects for the financing of any other activity not related to railway transport operations is not allowed.

Article 33. Public-private partnership in railway transport

Railway transport objects and land plots allocated for railway transport needs may be transferred to a private partner for construction, modernization, and management on the basis of public-private partnership agreements.

Railway transport objects and land plots allocated for railway transport needs are transferred to a private partner on the basis of lease, possession, and use rights for the duration of the concession agreement or public-private partnership agreements.

The procedure for transferring railway transport objects and land plots allocated for railway transport needs is determined by the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On public-private Partnership".

Chapter 5. Specific features of regulating labor relations and discipline of workers in railway transport. Accounting and reporting time in railway transport

Article 34. Labor relations of railway transport workers

Labor relations of railway transport workers are regulated by labor legislation.

Specific features of the working time regime, rest regime, and other labor conditions for certain categories of railway transport workers whose work is directly related to the movement of trains are approved by the Ministry of transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan in coordination with the Ministry of employment and poverty reduction of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Owners of public railway transport and non-public railway transport, and carriers shall organize preliminary and periodic medical examinations of workers related to the movement of trains and those engaged in work with unfavorable labor conditions. The list of such positions and works, as well as the procedure for conducting medical examinations, are established by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Article 35. Guarantees, compensation in connection with the traveling nature of work, and benefits for railway transport workers

Guarantees and compensations provided to railway transport workers with a traveling nature of work are established in accordance with labor legislation, collective agreements, or a sector-wide collective agreement.

Workers of paramilitary security units of railway transport, when performing official duties, have guarantees of legal and social protection established by legislation.

Railway transport workers enjoy the right to annual free travel on railway transport in the manner and on the conditions established by collective agreements or a sector-wide collective agreement.

Railway transport workers transferred to another job due to an occupational injury or professional disease, or those who have retired on a disability pension due to an occupational injury, professional disease, or other health damage occurring through no fault of the worker, retain the right to annual free travel on railway transport and other benefits established by legislation.

The benefits established by part three and part four of this Article are provided at the expense of public railway transport enterprises and carriers.

Article 36. Discipline in railway transport

The discipline of railway transport workers is regulated by the regulation on the discipline of railway transport workers, approved by a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The cessation of work in railway transport as a means of resolving collective labor disputes is not allowed.

Article 37. Accounting and reporting time in railway transport

In order to ensure continuous centralized management of the transportation process at railway transport enterprises directly involved in transportation, a unified accounting and reporting time acting in the country — Tashkent time — is established regardless of their location.

Chapter 6. Ensuring Safety of Movement and Operation of Railway Transport

Article 38. Ensuring safety of movement, operation of railway transport and other technical means

Public railway transport enterprises and carriers ensure travel conditions safe for the life and health of passengers, the transportation of baggage, freight-baggage, cargo, postal, and courier shipments, the safety of movement of trains and other railway transport vehicles, including during shunting work, the operation of transport and other technical means related to the transportation process, as well as the labor protection of railway transport workers and the natural environment.

Special structural subdivisions carrying out control over ensuring the safety of train movement, as well as emergency-recovery units eliminating the consequences of incidents in railway transport, may be created in railway transport. The regulation on these subdivisions is approved by the relevant legal entity in coordination with the state regulatory body.

The procedure for the classification, conduct of official investigation, and accounting of incidents related to the violation of safety requirements for movement and transportation in railway transport is established by the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Article 39. State regulation aimed at ensuring the safety of railway transportation

State regulation and other measures aimed at ensuring the safety of railway transportation are carried out by internal affairs bodies, the State Security Service, and the state regulatory body within their powers.

Article 40. Construction and operation of railway tracks of non-public use

The construction and adjoining of non-public railway tracks to public railway tracks, their opening for operation, as well as the entry of non-public railway transport rolling stock onto public railway tracks, are carried out in the manner established by a Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The procedure for the operation of non-public railway tracks is determined by regulatory legal acts, regulatory documents in the field of technical regulation, as well as urban planning norms and rules. Relations between owners of non-public railway tracks and public railway transport enterprises and/or the infrastructure operator and carrier are determined by contract.

Article 41. Services of railway tracks of non-public use

Owners of non-public railway tracks (hereinafter — branch owners) are entitled to provide participants of the transportation process with services of non-public railway tracks for the passage and parking of rolling stock, the delivery and removal of cars and containers, the implementation of operations for reception, loading (unloading), and delivery of cargo, shunting work, and other operations on the basis of a contract for the provision of services of non-public railway tracks.

Branch owners collect a fee for the provision of services of non-public railway tracks. The fee for using the services of non-public railway tracks is regulated by competition legislation.

The collection of a separate fee for the use of structures, devices, and elements of a non-public railway track intended for moving rolling stock from one track to another is prohibited.

Branch owners are obliged to ensure participants of the transportation process an equal right to use the services of non-public railway tracks.

In the absence of a competitive non-public railway track, branch owners are obliged to prevent actions (inaction) leading to the cessation of providing services of the non-public railway track to participants of the transportation process, except in cases provided for by legislation.

The branch owner bears full property liability for the non-fulfillment or improper fulfillment of obligations under contracts, including with a counterparty.

Workers performing official duties on non-public railway tracks are obliged to fulfill the orders of the infrastructure operator on issues of organizing shunting work.

Article 42. Main requirements for safety of movement and operation of railway transport

Mandatory safety requirements for railway transport infrastructure objects, methods for their control, as well as the form for assessing their compliance, are established by legislation and regulatory documents in the field of technical regulation.

The provision of services for the transportation of passengers and goods by railway transport is a licensed type of activity.

The territories of railway stations, terminals, and other subdivisions of railway transport related to the transportation process, passenger platforms, and railway tracks where the movement of trains is carried out and shunting and loading-unloading operations are performed, are zones of increased danger and, if necessary, are fenced and equipped with technical means of control. The rules for the presence of citizens and the placement of objects in zones of increased danger, the performance of work in them, and the passage and transition through railway tracks are approved by a Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Rolling stock, including specialized stock, and containers, elements of the upper structure of railway tracks, and other technical means and mechanisms, as well as services provided in railway transport, must comply with the requirements of legislation and regulatory documents in the field of technical regulation governing the accident-free operation of railway transport, safety of movement, labor protection requirements, and environmental safety.

Rolling stock and railway transport infrastructure objects must undergo state registration in the manner established by legislation. Unregistered rolling stock and railway transport infrastructure objects are not allowed for operation.

The right to drive rolling stock is granted to individuals having the relevant qualifications and having passed a medical examination in the established manner.

The procedure for granting the right to drive rolling stock is determined by a Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Certification of technical means and mechanisms used in railway transport activities, as well as services provided, is carried out in the manner established by legislation.

Objects on whose territory the production, storage, loading, transportation, and unloading of dangerous goods are carried out must be distanced from public railway tracks and structures at a distance ensuring their safe operation. Minimum distances from the indicated objects to public railway tracks and structures at places where public tracks are intersected by pipelines, communication lines, power lines, and other structures, as well as norms for the construction and maintenance of such objects at places of intersection and proximity to railway tracks, are established in regulatory legal acts and regulatory documents in the field of technical regulation adopted in coordination with the relevant state body and the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Responsibility for ensuring the established standards during the construction and operation of gas and oil pipelines and other structures intersecting public railway tracks or located in their immediate vicinity, as well as for the safety of the operation of the indicated structures, is borne by their owners. Owners of the indicated structures are obliged to timely report to public railway transport enterprises, subdivisions of the Ministry for Emergency Situations, and the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan regarding the occurrence of emergency situations threatening traffic safety.

Owners of dangerous and special cargo transported by railway transport along public and non-public tracks, who send and receive such cargo, must guarantee the safety of their transportation, loading, and unloading, involving the means and mobile units necessary to eliminate emergency situations and the consequences of accidents, including cases of their occurrence during the transportation of such cargo.

Public railway transport enterprises and carriers are obliged to ensure the safety of transporting dangerous and special cargo and take part in eliminating the consequences of accidents in cases of their occurrence during the transportation of such cargo.

Places of intersection of railway tracks with motor roads (railway crossings) are determined by the rules of technical operation of railway transport and urban planning norms and rules.

The rules for the operation of railway crossings, their opening and closing, are approved by the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Persons guilty of violating the rules of safety of movement and operation of railway transport and other technical means related to the transportation process shall bear liability in accordance with legislation.

Article 43. Protection of cargo and objects in railway transport

The protection of cargo and railway transport objects during transit and at railway stations, as well as work aimed at fire prevention, fire supervision, and fire extinguishing in public railway transport, is carried out by the departmental paramilitary security units of public railway transport (except for military transportation and transportation related to ensuring the state's defense capability or eliminating the consequences of emergencies and introduced states of emergency).

The regulation on departmental paramilitary security units of public railway transport is approved by the authorized organization in the manner established by legislation. The list of cargo subject to protection and escort, and the procedure for the protection and escort of such cargo, are approved by a Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Departmental paramilitary security groups of public railway transport escort cargo requiring such accompaniment within the borders of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The procedure and place for handing over escorted cargo when crossing the borders of the Republic of Uzbekistan are determined in the international treaties of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The protection of the most important railway transport objects and special cargo is carried out by departmental paramilitary security units of public railway transport, transport security units of internal affairs bodies, and other authorized units of republican executive authorities. The lists of such objects and cargo are approved by legislative acts.

The protection and escort of certain types of cargo, including valuable, perishable, and other goods, may be carried out throughout the entire journey by the escorts of the consignor or consignee. The procedure for the protection and escort of such cargo is determined by the consignors (consignees) in agreement with the authorized organization.

If necessary, the authorized organization is entitled to demand that consignors (consignees) take additional measures to reduce the risk of emergency situations and other extraordinary incidents and conditions, as well as potential damage during the transportation of their cargo.

Article 44. Operation of railway transport in emergency situations and conditions

Public railway transport enterprises and carriers shall take urgent measures to eliminate the consequences of incidents related to the violation of safety requirements for movement and transportation on railway transport, natural disasters (soil-sand drifts caused by wind, floods, fires), and other emergency situations that lead to the disruption of railway transport operations.

State authority bodies shall provide assistance to public railway transport enterprises and carriers in eliminating the consequences of incidents related to the violation of safety requirements for movement and transportation on railway transport, natural disasters, and other emergency situations and conditions that threaten the lives and health of people, the natural environment, traffic safety, and the preservation of cargo.

If, due to force majeure, military actions, blockades, epidemics, and other emergency situations, or the result of an introduced state of emergency, obstacles arise that prevent the delivery of baggage, freight-baggage, and cargo to the destination or their issuance to the relevant consignee (recipient), and similarly if the maximum storage periods for baggage, freight-baggage, cargo, postal, and courier shipments expire for these reasons, the said carrier is entitled, in the manner established by legislation:

to deliver (realize) the baggage, freight-baggage, cargo, postal, and courier shipments based on the instructions of the consignor (sender) or consignee (recipient);

or, if such instructions are not received within the established timeframe, to deliver (realize) the items;

or, if this is not possible, to return them to the consignor (sender).

In this case, the sum received for the delivered (realized) baggage, freight-baggage, cargo, postal, and courier shipments, minus the sums due to the carrier, shall be transferred to the account of the consignee (recipient) specified in the transportation documents if the value was paid, or in all other cases, to the account of the consignor (sender).

Funds received by the carrier from the realization of baggage, freight-baggage, cargo, postal, and courier shipments without documents shall be transferred in favor of the carrier and used to compensate for sums paid by the carrier to the consignor (sender) or consignee (recipient) for items that did not arrive at their destination.

If the sum specified in part three of this Article is not claimed by the consignee (recipient) or consignor (sender), the funds shall be transferred to the State budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan after the expiration of the limitation period for claims.

Article 45. Mobilization preparation and civil protection in railway transport

Leadership for mobilization preparation and civil protection in railway transport is carried out in accordance with legislative acts.

The financing of measures for mobilization preparation and civil protection in railway transport is carried out at the expense of funds from the State budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan and other sources not prohibited by legislation.

Article 46. Voluntary and mandatory insurance

Railway transport workers with a traveling nature of work, as well as workers performing their official duties in conditions dangerous to life and workers of departmental paramilitary security units, must be subject to mandatory personal insurance during the period of performance of their official duties.

The procedure and conditions for the mandatory personal insurance of certain categories of railway transport workers are established by legislation.

Passengers on railway transport may be subject to voluntary personal insurance, and baggage, freight-baggage, cargo, postal, and courier shipments may also be subject to voluntary insurance.

Mandatory insurance of the carrier's civil liability is carried out by the carrier.

Chapter 7. Liability of public railway transport enterprises, carriers, consignors (senders), consignees (recipients), passengers, and other legal and individuals for obligations arising from transportation. Consideration of demands and claims

Article 47. Liability of public railway transport enterprises and carriers

Public railway transport enterprises and carriers have no right to refuse transportation to a passenger or consignor (sender) who has paid the fare or transportation fee for baggage, freight-baggage, cargo, postal, and courier shipments and has correctly executed the travel documents, unless otherwise provided for in this Law or other legislative acts.

Public railway transport enterprises and carriers shall be liable for damage caused to the life and health of a passenger or any other person using railway transport services, as well as any person injured as a result of railway transport activity, in the manner established by legislation.

Public railway transport enterprises and carriers shall be liable in the form of paying a penalty in the manner established by legislation for:

failure to fulfill orders received for cargo transportation;

failure to deliver cars to non-public railway tracks and delays in removing them from non-public railway tracks;

unauthorized possession of cars and containers belonging to or leased by consignors and consignees;

damage to or loss of these cars and containers.

In the transportation of cargo, public railway transport enterprises and carriers shall be subject to property liability for the violation of cargo delivery deadlines, as well as for the failure to ensure the safety of the cargo being transported, in the manner and amounts established by legislation.

Public railway transport enterprises and carriers shall be liable for the non-fulfillment or improper fulfillment of obligations for the transportation of passengers, baggage, freight-baggage, cargo, postal, and courier shipments in the manner and amounts established by legislation.

Public railway transport enterprises and carriers shall be liable in accordance with legislation for damage caused to the natural environment and for the improper maintenance and/or use of lands allocated for railway transport needs.

Article 48. Liability of consignors (senders), consignees (recipients), passengers, and other individuals or legal entities to public railway transport enterprises and carriers

Consignors (senders) and consignees (recipients) shall be liable in the form of paying a penalty in the amounts established by legislation for:

untimely payment of transportation fees;

failure to provide cargo, non-use of cars and containers provided for cargo transportation, or refusal of cars and containers specified in the order;

unauthorized use of cars and containers belonging to public railway transport enterprises and carriers;

delays (idle time) of cars and containers beyond the established technological norms during loading, unloading, or reloading, as well as delays during their delivery for loading, unloading, or reloading due to waiting or other reasons depending on the consignor (sender);

violation of requirements established by customs, border authorities, or other state bodies for the delivery of products for export that resulted in the delay of cars and containers;

overloading cars and containers beyond their lifting capacity and the weight specified in the cargo transportation contract;

failure to clean cars and containers after cargo has been unloaded;

damage to or loss of cars or containers, removable transportation devices, and packaging/stowing means provided by public railway transport enterprises and carriers;

presenting cargo prohibited for transportation or presenting cargo requiring extreme precautionary measures during transportation while incorrectly specifying its name or properties.

Passengers and other individuals or legal entities shall be liable in accordance with legislation for violating the rules for using railway transport vehicles, traffic safety, fire safety, and sanitary-hygienic and anti-epidemic rules in railway transport, as well as for damaging structures, rolling stock, and their internal equipment.

Damage caused to railway transport as a result of the deliberate blocking (disconnection) of its communications or other illegal actions that interfere with the unimpeded and safe operation of railway transport shall be compensated to public railway transport enterprises and carriers by the guilty individuals or legal entities in the manner established by legislation.

Article 49. Consideration of demands and claims

In the event of a violation of obligations for the transportation of passengers, baggage, freight-baggage, cargo, postal, and courier shipments, passengers, consignors (senders), and consignees (recipients) are entitled to submit demands and claims to the relevant public railway transport enterprises and the carrier in the manner and within the timeframes established by legislation.

Claims arising from the transportation process may be filed against a public railway transport enterprise or carrier in the event that the enterprise or carrier refuses to satisfy the demand in full or in part, or if no response is received from the enterprise or carrier after the expiration of the timeframe for considering the demand.

The statute of limitations is:

one year for contracts for the transportation of cargo, postal, and courier shipments;

six months for contracts for the transportation of passengers, baggage, and freight-baggage.

The statute of limitations is calculated from the day following the occurrence of the event that serves as the basis for filing the claim.

For demands arising from obligations to deliver cargo not related to a transportation contract, the statute of limitations is two months, calculated from the date the delivery period expires.

Specific features of the consideration of demands and claims regarding transportation by railway transport, as well as the timeframes for submitting demands arising during the transportation of passengers, baggage, freight-baggage, cargo, postal, and courier shipments to public railway transport enterprises and the carrier, are provided for in the Railway Transport Charter and in agreements (contracts) on transportation by railway transport in international communications.

Chapter 8. Property in railway transport. Land for the needs of railway transport. Protective zones of railway transport

Article 50. Ownership in public railway transport

The infrastructure and mainline locomotives of public railway transport shall be the property of the infrastructure operator.

The sale or other transfer of infrastructure facilities and mainline locomotives of public railway transport to third parties shall not be permitted.

Article 51. Property of railway transport enterprises and organizations

The property of railway transport enterprises and organizations shall consist of fixed and current assets, as well as other tangible assets, the value of which is reflected in their independent balance sheet.

The right to use, possess, and dispose of the property of railway transport enterprises and organizations shall be exercised in accordance with legislation.

Article 52. Land for the needs of railway transport

Land for the needs of railway transport shall be provided, in accordance with the procedure established by legislation, to the authorized organization, public railway transport enterprises, the infrastructure operator, and branch line owners for the operation, storage, construction, reconstruction, repair, modernization (improvement), and development of railway transport facilities.

Land plots provided for the needs of railway transport shall comply with the requirements of land, urban planning, and environmental legislation.

Land plots adjacent to railway tracks, occupied by railway tracks or intended for the placement of such tracks, as well as land plots intended for the placement of railway stations, drainage and reinforcement structures, protective strips along railway tracks, communication lines, power supply facilities, sites for loading and unloading military cargo, industrial and other buildings, structures, facilities, and other railway transport objects, shall constitute the right-of-way.

The procedure for the use of railway transport land within the right-of-way shall be established by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Article 53. Protective zones of railway transport

In order to ensure the safety of the population, railway transport employees, passengers, animals, as well as safety during the operation of railway stations, railway tracks, power supply and communication lines, and to ensure the preservation, strength, and stability of structures, facilities, and other railway transport objects, including those located in areas with unstable soil and in territories subject to sand drifts, landslides, ground subsidence, erosion, mudflows and other hazardous natural impacts, protective zones shall be established — territories adjoining both sides of the right-of-way.

A special land-use regime shall be established for land plots within protective zones, under which the owners, users, or lessees of such land plots shall have the right to economic use subject to the following restrictions:

industrial and civil construction shall be prohibited;

any works shall be prohibited without the consent of the body authorized by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan to maintain the State Railway Cadastre.

The procedure for establishing protective zones, their dimensions, and the regime for the use of land allocated for these purposes shall be determined by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Chapter 9. Final provisions

Article 54. Resolution of disputes

Disputes arising in the field of railway transport shall be resolved in accordance with the procedure established by legislation.

Article 55. Liability for violation of railway transport legislation

Persons guilty of violating railway transport legislation shall bear liability in the prescribed manner.

Article 56. Ensuring execution, communication, and explanation of the essence and significance of this Law

The Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan and other interested organizations shall ensure the execution of this Law, its communication to executors, and the explanation of its essence and significance among the population.

Article 57. Recognition of certain legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan as having lost force

The following shall be recognized as having lost force:

1. the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 15 April 1999 No. 766-I “On railway transport”;

2. the Resolution of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 15 April 1999 No. 767-I “On the enactment of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan ʻOn railway transportʼ”;

3. Article 4 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 6 April 2006 No. LRU-31 “On amendments and additions to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in connection with simplification of the procedure for certification of products and Services”;

4. the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 8 September 2011 No. LRU-293 “On Amendments and an Addition to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan ʻOn railway transportʼ aimed at ensuring the safety of railway transportation”;

5. Article 8 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 9 June 2015 No. LRU-388 “On amendments and additions, as well as recognition of certain legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan as having lost force”;

6. Article 24 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 18 February 2019 No. LRU-522 “On amendments and additions to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan in connection with the improvement of the activities of certain state bodies in the field of security and defense”;

7. Article 18 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 23 May 2019 No. LRU-542 “On amendments and additions to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan related to ensuring the protection of the rights of participants in criminal proceedings”;

8. Article 104 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 21 April 2021 No. LRU-683 “On amendments to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan”.

Article 58. Bringing legislation into conformity with this Law

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan shall:

within six months from the date of official publication of this Law, develop and approve the Charter of Railway Transport provided for by paragraph eight of part one of Article 7 of this Law;

within six months from the date of official publication of this Law, develop and approve the rules for access to and use of public railway transport infrastructure services provided for by paragraph eleven of part one of Article 7 of this Law;

within six months from the date of official publication of this Law, ensure the development and approval of the specifics of working time regimes, rest regimes, and other labor conditions for certain categories of railway transport employees whose work is directly related to train movement, as provided for by part two of Article 34 of this Law;

within six months from the date of official publication of this Law, develop and approve the procedure for granting the right to operate rolling stock, as provided for by part seven of Article 42 of this Law;

within six months from the date of official publication of this Law, develop and approve the procedure for the use of railway transport land within the right-of-way, as provided for by part four of Article 52 of this Law;

within six months from the date of official publication of this Law, develop and approve the procedure for establishing protective zones, their dimensions, and the land-use regime for land allocated for these purposes, as provided for by part three of Article 53 of this Law;

bring government decisions into conformity with this Law;

ensure the revision and repeal by republican executive authorities of their normative legal acts that contradict this Law.

Article 59. Entry into force of this Law

This Law shall enter into force on 1 January 2025.

Articles 1 — 29 and 31 — 57 of this Law shall be put into effect upon the expiration of six months from the date of official publication of this Law.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan SH. MIRZIYOYEV

Tashkent,

November 27, 2024,

No. LRU-1006