The Majilis is concerned about the development of a new tariff-setting methodology for railway services. Deputies have appealed to the Prime Minister to make a balanced decision without abruptly changing the methodology, according to the APK News agency.
"Over the past three years, regulated railway tariffs have doubled. In 2023, tariffs were raised three times, in 2024 – five times, and in 2025 – three times. This dynamic demonstrates the lack of predictability in railway tariff policy," Mukash Iskandrov, a member of the AMANAT party, said at a meeting of the Majilis today.
He also noted that from March to June 2025, JSC NC KTZ applied TRIPLE maximum increase coefficients (so-called "price caps") to railway tariffs for the transportation of export cargo. This led to a sharp increase in export costs and, in some cases, to the closure of enterprises.
For example, a threefold increase in export tariffs impacted the price of quartz sand, and on May 1st of this year, Laton Market LLP was forced to suspend shipments. The plant's shutdown, in turn, created the risk of disrupting glass supplies to Kazakhstani construction sites and increasing the cost of housing per square meter in Kazakhstan.
Following the negative consequences for businesses, the government rescinded the price caps.
"At the same time, the government recently decided to freeze tariffs until April 2026. However, this is a temporary measure. KTZ has already submitted an application to the Committee for the Regulation of Natural Monopolies for approval of new five-year tariffs, which include price increases. However, the planned tariff increases for MZhS services for 2026-2030 have not yet been published.
In addition to the announced five-year tariffs, KTZ plans to return to the previous coefficients in 2026," the deputy said.
However, the party's deputies are most concerned about the development of a new tariff-setting methodology for MHC services. According to the roadmap approved by First Deputy Prime Minister R. Sklyar, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) has been tasked with developing a methodology taking into account proposals from government agencies and the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs (NCE) to develop consolidated approaches.
"However, the development of a new tariff-setting methodology for MHC services is being carried out by the international firm PwC (Price Water House) at KTZ's expense and according to KTZ's technical specifications, which creates the conditions for the majority of decisions to be made in KTZ's favor," the deputy noted.
Business community representatives prepared consolidated proposals at the Atameken forum, but they are not reflected in the draft new methodology. Specifically, the consultants propose eliminating tariff differentiation by cargo type and transportation distance, which is inconsistent with Kazakhstan's conditions.
"It is worth noting that the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs submitted to the Government an analysis of tariff increases compared to neighboring countries, calling into question the validity of the new methodology proposed by KTZ consultants. However, government agencies have not provided an official position on this analysis," said Iskandirov.
Despite the existence of unresolved issues, KTZ is proposing an accelerated adoption of the new methodology, which is causing concern among businesses and posing risks to economic stability.
The Amanat party faction appeals to Prime Minister O. Bektenov with a request to instruct the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan to:
When approving tariffs for MRES services for 2026-2030:
make a balanced decision without drastic changes to the methodology;
limit tariff increases to the annual inflation rate for all types of freight;
set the maximum price cap at no more than 1.0.
In collaboration with the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, conduct an independent review of the new methodology planned for implementation in 2031, provide estimates of its impact on the economy, industries, and exports, and suspend the concept's promotion until it is approved by the business community. We also ask you to include members of parliament in the Working Group of Majilis Deputies.