Russia - Articles and news items

Brunswick Rail acquires Proftrans

Rail industry news / 30 August 2011 /

Brunswick Rail, Russia’s leading railcar operating lessor, announced today the purchase of the rail operator Proftrans. (more…)

Reforming Russia’s railway network: final phase

Issue 3 2011 / 31 May 2011 /

The restructuring of the railway, which has traditionally been a natural monopoly sector of the economy, is an important benchmark for the economic development of all European countries. Russia too is currently in the process of reforming its rail transport, in line with a government-approved programme that has now reached its final phase. Structural reforms are carried out under the close scrutiny of the country’s leadership, and reform issues are discussed at government meetings every year. Ongoing reforms on Russia’s railway network are also approved by experts from the European Conference of Ministers of Transport.

Russian Railways’ financial results provide the clearest indication of the success of this restructuring process, which began in 2001. In 2003, Russian Railways was created as a joint stock company on the basis of the Railway Ministry, with 100% of shares held by the government. This brought a separation of the roles of state management and economic activity on the railway. (more…)

Siemens to build first regional trains for Russian city Sochi

Rail industry news / 26 April 2011 /

Vladimir Yakunin, president of Russian Railways (RZD), and Peter Löscher, Siemens CEO, today officially launched the production of regional trains for the Russian city Sochi in a ceremony that was attended by Dr. Peter Ramsauer, German Federal Minister of Transport. The first 38 of the total 54 Desiro RUS type regional trains ordered in 2009 are to be built at the Siemens plant in Krefeld, Germany. The increased localization of regional train production in Russia is due to start in 2012 with the manufacture of the remaining 16 Desiro RUS trains under that order. (more…)

Developing high-speed rail transport in Russia

Issue 4 2010 / 4 August 2010 /

The changing economic situation in Russia, and the increase in business and transport activity among the country’s population in recent years, served as an incentive to draw up the Programme for the Development of High-Speed and Very High-Speed Transport, as part of the Strategy for Developing Rail Transport in the Russian Federation up to 2030, adopted by the Russian government in June 2008.

The company is confident that the implementation of this programme will allow it to position rail, in the passenger transport sector, as a competitive service able to provide a high-quality transport product for the Russian population, while yielding profits for the company. (more…)

Russia’s role in increasing international rail transportation

Issue 3 2010 / 31 May 2010 /

The issue of increasing the role of international rail transportation between Europe and Asia has recently been growing in significance. Countries of the Asia-Pacific region, primarily China, are maintaining positive economic growth trends despite the global recession, and potential for boosting their foreign trade, including with European Union countries. Russia, being a natural transport bridge between Europe and Asia, can play an important role in this trade. Therefore, one of the main goals set out in the Strategy for Developing Rail Transport up to 2030 approved by the Russian government is deep integration into the Eurasian transport system. (more…)

Allegro – the best link between Helsinki and St. Petersburg

Issue 3 2009, Past issues / 15 May 2009 /

A high-speed rail service between Helsinki and St. Petersburg will start up next year when Allegro, a Finnish-Russian train, comes into service in the summer of 2010. VR’s goal is to make the Allegro the best link between Helsinki and St. Petersburg. The number of passengers is expected to triple within five years.

This high-speed rail link is intended to shorten the journey time between Helsinki and St. Petersburg at first to three and a half hours and later to three hours, down from the current five and a half hours. All border-crossing formalities are being relocated onto the moving trains.

Passenger numbers on the Helsinki- St. Petersburg line are expected to triple within five years of the introduction of the high-speed service.

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Freight operation growth ensures economical potential

Issue 2 2008, Past issues / 8 April 2008 /

The strategic focus of DB Schenker is on the creation of end-to-end service offers on the European rail corridors. While the North-South connections have been operating without problems, we have been quite engaged for some time in efforts along the East-West corridor. The acquisitions of EWS, a British rail freight transport company and its French subsidiary, ECR, as well as Transfesa, a Spanish rail freight forwarder, cover the most important European markets. At the same time, we are working very hard on linking them to the East.

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The Finnish-Russian joint rail project

Issue 3 2005, Past issues / 23 August 2005 /

A joint project between Finland and Russia will gradually shorten the journey time on the Helsinki-St. Petersburg line to approximately three hours.

Modernising the rail connection between Helsinki and St. Petersburg is one of the most important joint development projects between Finland and the Russian Federation. In the background is both countries’ desire to develop transport connections and make the necessary investments.

The project will be completed in stages. By 2008 the rapidly developing St. Petersburg region will be less than four hours by train from Helsinki. Ultimately the journey time will be reduced to three hours.

The new train connection will be considerably faster and more comfortable and have a high service level. It will provide a competitive alternative to road and air transport.

On the Finnish side the line will be used for mixed traffic.

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