Title: National Railway Implements Efficiency Measures, Adjusts Service at Key Nishapur Station
In a move to enhance national operational efficiency, the Iranian railway authority has issued new directives that modify service patterns at several stations, including the important Nishapur hub in Razavi Khorasan province. The adjustments, which began on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, have rerouted some through-trains directly to Mashhad without stopping, a decision that has drawn attention from local officials and the public.
The core of the new policy is a system-wide effort to optimize train schedules, reduce transit times, and improve overall network productivity. Officials have emphasized that the decision was made after careful technical and economic study at the national level.
Operational Adjustments for Enhanced Network Performance
Mr. Javad Meraji-Far, Director of Public Relations for the Razavi Khorasan Railway Administration, provided detailed clarification on the rationale. “The program to cancel stops for certain trains at Nishapur has been communicated to us from the central office in Tehran,” he stated. “This is part of a broader, ongoing strategy to increase the efficiency of our rail fleet. Lengthy journeys with excessive stops reduce overall productivity and can lead to technical and traffic complications.”
Meraji-Far stressed that the decision-making authority for such nationwide network planning resides with the central office, which acts in the interest of the entire country’s transportation system. He confirmed that the directive is general and is scheduled to remain in effect from August 18 to October 22, 2025.
Local Response and Assurances of Review
The change has significantly impacted passengers whose travel plans originated or terminated in Nishapur. In response to these concerns, local representatives have actively engaged with national railway leadership.
Mr. Mohammad Roustami, the representative of Nishapur in the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis), reported taking immediate action. “Upon learning of the situation, I directly contacted Mr. Zakiri, the head of the country’s railway,” he said. “He has promised a full review of the matter.” Roustami added that a formal letter had also been sent to the Minister of Roads and Urban Development to ensure the issue receives serious attention at the highest level.
Clarifications on Service Continuity and Station Importance
Station officials and public relations directors were quick to clarify that the change is not absolute and that Nishapur remains a critical node in the national network.
Mahmoud Shayan, Head of the Nishapur Railway Station, confirmed the receipt of the new program and stated that the station is following up on its implementation. He specifically noted that the directive is unrelated to any programs for the last ten days of the month of Safar.
Director Meraji-Far provided crucial details for passengers: “It is important to note that trains for which Nishapur is printed as the final destination on the ticket will most certainly stop. Furthermore, a significant number of trains will continue to have allocated quotas for Nishapur and will maintain their stops.” He reiterated that the Nishapur station is considered one of the most important in the country and that service adjustments are a normal part of dynamic network management aimed at benefiting the entire system.
