Georgia is advancing a major railway modernization program to improve connectivity, reducing travel times and expanding capacity across the national network.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that rehabilitation works on the Tbilisi–Batumi railway are expected to be completed by August 2026. Once finalized, travel time between Tbilisi and the Black Sea city of Batumi will be reduced from 5.5 hours to approximately 4 hours.
At the same time, the government plans to restore the Tbilisi–Akhaltsikhe railway, which has been suspended since 2009. The reopening of the line will cut travel time between Tbilisi and Akhaltsikhe from six hours to three hours, significantly improving access to the Samtskhe-Javakheti region.
As part of the 2026–2028 development strategy, Georgian Railway plans to modernize its fleet and infrastructure through large-scale procurement and systemic upgrades. The plan includes:
- Purchase of 50 new locomotives
- Acquisition of 1,500 new freight and passenger carriages
- Introduction of 10 new passenger trains
- Deployment of modern railway control and safety systems
Authorities expect the modernization program to double operational capacity and significantly enhance service efficiency. Annual passenger traffic is projected to grow from 2 million to 5 million, reflecting increased demand from both domestic travelers and international tourists.
