Russian Railways, Siemens Mobility and Ural Locomotives signed a EUR 1.1 billion contract for the supply of 13 high-speed Velaro RUS trains. Under the contract awarded to the joint venture of the Sinara Group and Siemens AG, the companies will also provide the maintenance of the trains for a period of 30 years. RZD originally ordered 8 Velaro trainsets from Siemens Mobility in 2006 and placed a follow-up order for an additional eight trains in 2011.
The 10-car Velaro trains will operate between Moscow and St. Petersburg and help meet the growing demand for service on the 650-km line with the highest passenger volume in Russia. The Velaro is called the “Sapsan” (Peregrine Falcon) in Russia and is specially designed for the country’s broad gauge and extreme temperatures (ranging from -40 C° to +40°). The Sapsan trains are equipped with Russia’s national train control system and can accommodate around 550 passengers. The train’s state-of-the-art equipment, high-quality design and a varied passenger entertainment program offer passengers special features and comfort. 
The trains are serviced and maintained at the Siemens Mobility depot in St. Petersburg.
“The fact that RZD is relying on Siemens Mobility for the third time in expanding its high-speed fleet reflects the strong performance of our Velaro platform, which increases value sustainably over the entire lifecycle, enhances passenger experience and optimizes availability. The Velaro has already proven its reliability in Russia after covering more than 50 million fleet kilometers since 2009,” said Sabrina Soussan, CEO of Siemens Mobility.
Share on:
