What does Russian Railways plan to improve or change in 2023?

The beginning of the year is always associated with changes. This is the starting point in many areas. It will also affect a large carrier ― the holding company "Russian Railways" (RZD). The changes will affect both ordinary passengers, tourists around the country and foreign travelers, as well as large companies that use cargo transportation services.

Investment program for 2023-2025

Dmitry Pegov, CEO of the holding, told about the plans for the next three years. He told about the investment program of Russian Railways, compiled for the period from 2023 to 2025.

The head of one of the largest Russian companies said that one of the priority issues is the renewal of the railway infrastructure. A huge amount of money will be required for key works. Preliminary calculations have shown that over 52 billion rubles should be allocated for these categories of expenses for the next three years. So far, this amount is included in the investment program. However, it may change over time.

The General Director of Russian Railways told what this amount will be spent on. It is planned to carry out repairs at 22 railway stations in the coming years. However, he did not indicate in which cities they are located, and what kind of work will be carried out. Funds will also be spent on upgrading 55 platforms.

The investment program also includes the renewal of rolling stock. Dmitry Pegov noted that there is a shortage of passenger cars now, and they will try to solve this problem as soon as possible.

Moreover, Russian Railways plans to create an additional fleet. It should include wagons for various trains, both high-speed and tourist. The latter imply components for long-distance trains, where people are forced to stay for several days. Such cars must meet certain comfort conditions. Staying on the road for several days in a row is difficult in itself, so it is important to take the amenities on the train as seriously as possible.

According to Dmitry Pegov, earlier Russian Railways bought about 300 new cars each. Already in 2022, the planned purchase was increased by 100 units. He also reported on the results of the renewal of the Russian Railways fleet for an incomplete calendar year. In 2022, suburban trains were updated in 25 regions of the Russian Federation. Most of all, they put modern Swallows on the rails, which passengers have already fallen in love with. The number of electric train cars has increased by 90 pieces.

As practice has shown, this amount is not enough. Therefore, the holding plans to continue purchasing 500-600 wagons of different types.

This solution will solve several problems at once. These are the launch of new trains, the improvement of passenger transportation conditions and new opportunities, primarily for the engineering sector. Over time, this will lead to more intensive development of the regions. An increase in the order entails the need to expand the personnel, that is, new jobs will be created.

Assignment of new passenger trains

This is good news for travelers. Now the train schedule will be expanded, even if this innovation affects only a few regions. It is noteworthy that most of the new trains will be delivered on flights from Moscow and to the capital.

In 2023, there will be several fast trains that will be assigned only during periods of increasing demand for specific destinations. Most often, passenger traffic increases during holidays and during vacations (in particular, this applies to resort cities and cultural centers). Next year they plan to launch such trains:

• Moscow ― Magnitogorsk ― Moscow (No.194/193);
• Moscow ― Smolensk (No.211/212);
• Moscow ― Vyborg ― Moscow (No.37/38);
• Yekaterinburg ― Surgut (No.50/49);
• Moscow ― Surgut ― Moscow (No. 59/60, it will run instead of train No. 85/86 connecting the capital with Nizhnevartovsk);
• Chelyabinsk ― Yekaterinburg ― Chelyabinsk (No.134/136);
• Moscow ― Zabaikalsk (No. 985/986).

At the moment, the exact schedule is still unknown. Information about arrival and departure will appear a little later on the official website of Russian Railways.

In 2023, it is also planned to launch trains that will run only at certain times. For example, in the summer there will be No. 255/256 connecting Novorossiysk and Syktyvkar. So far, the frequency of cruising has not been announced. During the summer period, train No. 287/288 will also appear on the schedule, which will follow the Novorossiysk route ― Moscow ― Novorossiysk. Departure will be in the afternoon from Paveletsky railway station.

In the autumn and winter of 2023, it is planned to launch trains No. 165/166 Moscow ― Simferopol ― Moscow and No. 603/604 Adler ― Stavropol ― Adler. The latter will follow through the city of Krasnodar.

From 2023, double-decker trains will appear on some routes. This is No. 55/56 Moscow ― Ekaterinburg ― Moscow and No. 63/64 St. Petersburg ― Samara.

There will be more comfortable cars

In 2023, Russian Railways plans to improve passenger transportation services. Today, the Swallows are considered one of the most comfortable trains in Russia. The internal space of the wagons is used to the maximum due to the special design. All the necessary equipment for movement is embedded in the floor and roof. Double―glazed windows with insulation, pleasant lighting and air conditioners - all this makes the stay in the cars as comfortable as possible.

«Swallows» will be more on the route Moscow ― St. Petersburg. These electric trains travel every day between these cities. Previously, one additional pair will be added, but there are no details yet.

Swallows will walk more often on route No. 718/717 Moscow — Kostroma — Moscow. This train will run daily in 2023. Until the schedule is updated, the Swallow walks every other day.

Electric train No. 721/722 will run from the capital to Nizhny Novgorod. He is expected to walk every day.

In 2023, another Swallow will be launched from Nizhny Novgorod. The daily train No. 741/742 will connect the city with Ivanovo.

Russian Railways is trying to replace the old uncomfortable cars with more comfortable ones. However, this does not mean that the legends of the Russian railway will be forgotten. So, St. Petersburg and Moscow will continue to be connected by the Nevsky Express. This train is considered legendary and they are not going to remove it yet.

Increase in transportation tariffs

Russian Railways warns that prices for railway services will rise again from 2023. The management of the holding stated that they plan to raise tariffs for freight transportation. Previously, services may rise in price by 9.8%. First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov approved this proposal, as an anonymous source told reporters. But so far this has not been confirmed at the official level.

An increase in freight tariffs by 9.8% will allow additional revenue of about 190 billion rubles. All this money will be used to implement the provisions of the investment program. However, some sources report that the company plans to introduce indexation at the level of 8%, but with a surcharge for major repairs of the railway infrastructure. In general, the increase will be about 10%.

In 2023, they also plan to raise the cost of tickets for passengers. Travel in shared and reserved cars will rise in price by 8.1%. The new prices will be introduced from January 1.

At the same time, the cost of tickets to SV-cars, compartments and suites will not be indexed. Ticket prices are formed based on many factors, including the day of the week, the season, demand, and the number of tickets sold.