In Astana, LRT will be built according to the “cross” scheme – the government updated the capital's Master Plan

Astana's future development is taking shape with an updated Master Plan that prioritizes a "cross" configuration for its Light Rail Transit (LRT) system. After evaluating ten different options, planners selected this design to optimize routes along corridors with the highest passenger density, ensuring key city hubs are connected. The plan anticipates the Tarlan Astana LRT lines will utilize rolling stock capable of carrying 650 passengers, with projections indicating a need for 16 units by 2035 to operate three distinct routes.

The Master Plan, serving as the primary guide for the city's development over the next 10 to 20 years, also outlines significant expansions to Astana's infrastructure. The street and road network is expected to grow substantially, increasing from its current 528 kilometers to 923.5 kilometers by 2035. This expansion includes the addition of 69 new interchanges, enhancing traffic flow and connectivity.

Population growth is a key consideration in the plan, with projections estimating Astana's population will rise from approximately 1.5 million currently to 1.97 million by 2030 and 2.28 million by 2035. This dynamic growth is expected to nearly double the demand for public transport, with the system projected to carry up to 1.5 million passengers daily by 2035. Measures are in place to increase the total capacity of buses and rail cars to 180,000 seats, aiming to maintain standard occupancy levels.

Beyond transportation, the Master Plan allocates space for new residential areas, schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and parks, while also defining zoning for future construction. The plan aims to ensure Astana continues its trajectory as a young and developing city, with a projected 60 percent of residents being of working age by 2035. The integration of the railway for urban and suburban travel is also a component of the evolving public transport strategy.