DUSHANBE, March 20, 2009, Asia-Plus – Ticket prices on Tajik trains are going down, especially on fares from Dushanbe to Moscow, RFE/RL''s Tajik Service reported on March 19.

Fares have dipped from 1,100 somoni to 871 somoni ($230) for travel between the Tajik and Russian capitals.

Analysts say the prices reflect the increased number of people flying to Moscow and taking a train back to Tajikistan in order to avoid routing through Uzbekistan, which requires multiple passenger searches and security checks on trains that stop on Uzbek territory.

The falling prices also reflect the smaller numbers of Tajiks traveling to Russia due to the global economic crisis.

The Tajik state railroad added that fares on other lines will also decrease soon.