President Medicalian Champions Integrated Rail System to Revolutionize Urban Mobility
In a significant move to transform Iran’s transportation landscape, President Masoud Medicalian presided over a strategic meeting on the development of regional and commuter railways today, Thursday, October 30, 2025, at Tehran’s central railway station.
A Vision for Seamless Connectivity
The meeting, which included detailed technical briefings from experts, centered on the urgent need to upgrade infrastructure and enhance the quality of public rail services. President Medicalian emphasized that a seamless, integrated network is crucial for the nation’s progress and the daily convenience of its citizens.
Action Plan for a Modern Rail Network
To accelerate this development, the President issued a directive to form a specialized working group. This body is tasked with a comprehensive review of key areas, including:
- Structural reform of the rail system.
- Leveraging expertise from both domestic and international consultants.
- Defining clear management and operational frameworks.
- Securing the necessary funding for project implementation.
President Medicalian stressed that increasing productivity requires tapping into the knowledge of the country’s academics and universities, as well as learning from the pioneering experiences of other nations.
Bridging the Gaps for Commuters
Addressing current shortcomings, the President highlighted the critical need to complete and equip interchange points between subway stations and the regional rail network. This integration is envisioned to allow passengers smooth and easy transfers, making combined use of metro and train systems a practical and efficient reality for all.
From Directive to Immediate Action
Demonstrating a commitment to tangible results, President Medicalian ordered the immediate allocation of funds for the major overhaul of nine rail-bus units and for the development of the broader rail infrastructure according to the specified plans.
A First-Hand Assessment
Prior to the meeting, the President undertook a fact-finding journey aboard a commuter train to Varamin County to personally assess the capacities and service quality of the route. This hands-on experience informed his subsequent directives, which called for:
- Mission-oriented operations for commuter trains.
- Enhanced service quality to increase public satisfaction.
- Improved ancillary services, such as building parking facilities at stations to complement family use of the integrated metro-rail system.
Following his return, President Medicalian also visited the Aprin Dry Port and Logistics Center in Eslamshahr, where he emphasized the importance of reducing energy consumption, minimizing cargo delivery delays, and employing artificial intelligence and new technologies for smarter management.
A National Impact
The CEO of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways, who also attended the meeting, outlined the project’s immense potential. He reported that upon completion of the development plan, the network could transport up to 160 million passengers annually using a fleet of 300 rail-buses. He further highlighted the broader national benefits, including a significant reduction in road accidents, fuel consumption, travel time, costs, traffic congestion, and air pollution.