The Almaty Metro (Алматы метрополитені) recently opened is the second metro system in Central Asia, behind Tashkent Metro, in Uzbekistan, and the sixteenth subway line in the former Soviet republics.
The Almaty Metro construction began in 1988, under the promotion and financing of the USSR, but after its fall, the works were halted by lack of funds and by the deep crisis that followed.
>Work was resumed in 2005, and the first section was opened in 2011, twenty three years after the start of its construction. The Almaty Metro is similar in style to that of Moscow. It is a modern and elegant metro, with marble floors and tastefully decorated.
Almaty Metro Lines
Currently there is only one line in operation, the Line 1-Red Line, with 8.5 kms of journey and seven stations (four underground and three above ground). It is used daily by 30,000 passengers.
Stations:
Raiymbek batyr, Zhibek Zholy, Almaly, Abai, Baikonur, Tulpar, Alatau
Future Extensions
It is planned to continue the expansion of Line 1, in fact, have already begun works in Molodejnaya and Sairan stations.
Future Line 2 is expected to begin construction in 2013 and will be a surface line that will intersect with Line 1 at Alatau and Zhibek Zholy. After the completion of both, there is a a third line planned.
When the entire network is complete will consist of three lines and 45 km of track.
Opening Hours
The metro runs from 06:00 a.m until 24:00 p.m.
Frequency Step
The trains run with a frequency of between 10 and 15 minutes.
Fares and Tickets
The ticket price is unique, 80 Tenge by travel (about $ 0.50). To access the metro you have to buy a yellow chip or token that can be purchased at the ticket office of the stations.
Airport
The Almaty International Airport is 18 km from the center of Almaty.
Buses run every 15 minutes from the airport. During the day can take the bus number # 92, # 79, # 106 and # 86 to the city center. Another option are the official taxis, the taxi ride from the airport to the city center costs $ 15.
Almaty Metro Map
