TEHRAN — Always known as the jewel of the desert and the center of traditional Iranian architecture, Yazd Governorate, whose central historic buildings have graced UNESCO’s World Heritage List, whose wind catchers and adobe houses whisper tales of centuries of trade and civilization, is now poised to take a giant leap forward in tourism and rail transport.
Yazd is strategically located at the crossroads of the country’s north-south and east-west transport routes and has played an important role in the movement of goods and passengers for many years. Today, it is a national priority to pay attention to rail transport infrastructure in order to make the most of this capacity.
Cultural tourism is the axis of Yazd’s sustainable development, and given the increasing number of domestic and international tourists, ensuring travel safety and comfort is an undeniable necessity.
From improving the efficiency of existing lines to attracting significant private investment for new train services and tourism, everything points to a serious determination to transform Yazd into one of the country’s most active railway axes.
By stopping passing trains at intermediate stations and expanding the ticket sales network, it is hoped that a new chapter will open in the railway travel boom and expansion of tourist routes in Yazd province.
Yazd Railway Director Seyyed Reza Sadat Hosseini said that the realization of the plan and the addition of new trains to the railway network will expand Yazd’s tourist routes.
He announced that from October 23, Shiraz-Mashhad trains will stop at Mehrez station, and said that with the implementation of this plan, residents of the province will be able to buy tickets within the province without visiting neighboring provinces and go on pilgrimage and tourist trips directly from the Mehrez-Mashhad and Mehrez-Shiraz lines, and vice versa.
He also announced the entry of the private sector into the Yazd rail transport sector and the operation of a new tourist train by the end of Iran.
Sadat-Hosseini said that in view of the high demand among Yazdians to travel to the holy cities of Mashhad and Shiraz, necessary arrangements have been made with the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways so that from October 23, Shiraz and Mashhad trains will stop at Mehriz station and vice versa.
He added that pre-sale of tickets for this train will begin from September 23 and passengers can purchase tickets through the railway vending system from Mehriz station.
The official continued that with the implementation of this plan, Yazd citizens no longer need to travel to neighboring cities or provinces to board this train. Currently, it is possible to buy tickets and ride from Mehriz, he added.
He touched on the characteristics of Mehriz Railway Station, saying that it is located 10 kilometers from Mehriz city and 35 kilometers from the center of Yazd province, and has very favorable conditions in terms of infrastructure, access and geographical location.
He said that in addition to Mehriz station, trains between Shiraz and Mashhad and vice versa will also stop at the cities of Yazd, Ardakan, Meybod, Bahk and Behabad.
Prime Minister Sadat-Hosseini said Yazd is one of the mainstays of the railway network, as it is located on the country’s north-south route, and the stop of the Shiraz-Mashhad train in Mehriz will further highlight the province’s role in the national rail transport network.
He added that this measure will facilitate interprovincial travel and increase Yazd’s share in passenger traffic.
He said that the current share of domestic rail transport is about 10-12%, while in developed countries this share reaches 60-80%.
Sadat Hosseini announced the operation of the second tourist train in the province in November 1404, adding that five other tourist trains will also be operating on different routes by the end of Iran.
KD