Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked the Moscow government to identify solutions for rolling stock renewals so that the plan should be as efficient as possible. President Putin said that „it is extremely important not to put too much pressure or to burden our companies, but instead to offer an attractive package of incentives that will facilitate the rolling stock renewal procedure. This is absolutely necessary if we want to increase our competitiveness.”
Along with the modernization of the railway network in Russia, there is a need for a modern and less polluting rolling stock. This program should be both flexible and profitable.
Russian Railways (RZD) are developing important rail infrastructure and announced they are ready to start construction works for the first section of Moscow-Kazan high-speed line in the first half of 2018. This first section is comprised between the capital city Moscow and Vladimir, and the distance covers 180 kilometers. According to preliminary plans made by RZD, the completion of the Moscow-Vladimir section could take place in 2023 while the entire Moscow-Kazan high-speed line could be completed in 2025.
The estimated cost of the Moscow-Kazan line, with a length of 772 kilometers, amounts to RUB 1.3 trillion (USD 22.4 billion) and Russia intends to modernize its connectivity across its vast territory. A total of 14 railway stations will be built along the line.
The volume of investments planned by Russian Railways (RZD) for 2018 amounts to around RUB 580 billion (USD 9.75 billion). The announcement was made by RZD’s CEO, Oleg Belozerov, in December 2017, after discussions with the government in Moscow. Moreover, Moscow Municipality has also announced investments of over USD 20 billion for the development of urban and suburban rail transport.
“For the time being, Russian Railways have decided to allocate RUB 5 billion (USD 83 million) to renew suburban trains. We also have another investment programme worth RUB 15 billion (USD 250 million) dedicated to the procurement of new electric trains, of the Lastochka class”, said Pavel Burtsev, Business Manager of RZD’s Passenger Transport Division.
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