LRT Delay in Astana and New Voucher System for Kids' Activities in Kazakhstan

Astana's LRT Launch Delayed, New Voucher System for Children's Activities Introduced Kazakhstan is facing both delays and advancements in its infrastructure and social programs. The much-anticipated launch of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system in Astana has been pushed back to next year, according to Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar. He stated, "I am absolutely confident that testing will begin at the end of next year." This delay is attributed to the slow pace of construction, with only 25% of the upper track construction completed out of the planned 22.4 km. Meanwhile, a positive development is the introduction of a unified voucher system for children's extracurricular activities, starting June 1st in six cities across Kazakhstan. This initiative aims to improve transparency and prevent corruption, as previously, children were registered in the system but did not attend the activities. The voucher system will be tied to the child, allowing for flexibility in choosing activities without losing funding. This system is expected to improve access to extracurricular activities for children and enhance the quality of these programs.