RZD to double-up high-speed train services between Moscow and St Petersburg

From August, Russian Railways (RZD) will operate new 20-car high-speed Sapsan services between Moscow and St Petersburg, doubling its current capacity.

RZD said the new dual unit trains, which will have a seating capacity of more than 1,200, will be introduced from August 1 to meet a growing demand for the service, which has become “highly popular among passengers”.

In 2011, RZD signed a contract with Siemens for additional Velaro trainsets to add to the original fleet of eight, which entered service in September 2009. The contract, which was worth around €600 million, included not only the delivery of eight new trains, but a 30-year maintenance agreement.

The first four new units have already been delivered and are currently undergoing testing.