Georgian Railway is facing significant operational challenges due to a lack of engineering expertise, staff shortages and outdated infrastructure, according to Bakar Getsadze, founder and director of railway company Sector Rail. Speaking to TV program Business Course, he said addressing these issues requires better coordination of freight and passenger services, workforce development and modernization of railway equipment.
Getsadze highlighted that freight trains often operate at just 13–14 km/h, compared with the scheduled speed of 30–35 km/h. As a result, journeys from Gardabani to the ports of Poti and Batumi can take more than 20 hours, undermining Georgia’s competitiveness as a transit route within the Middle Corridor.
He also stressed the urgent need to modernize railway maintenance equipment and infrastructure, warning that around 90% of the existing track maintenance machinery requires renewal. Meanwhile, a shortage of qualified engineers and experienced personnel could become a major obstacle to modernization, regardless of investments in new locomotives and wagons.
Getsadze further warned that increasing freight volumes without adequate infrastructure and operational preparation could lead to serious disruptions and safety risks. He called for stronger engineering-led management and better synchronization between passenger and freight trains, arguing that neither service should unnecessarily disrupt the other.
