13.04.2007, 06:52
Yakunin on Results of Meeting on Russia’s Development Strategy for the Rail Sector Up to 2030
OREANDA-NEWS. April 11, 2007. After the meeting held under Russian the President Putin, Vladimir Yakunin, President of Russian Railways, answered questions from journalists. According to Yakunin, Russian Railways’ proposals were on the whole supported by President Putin, reported the press-centre of Russian Railways.
Yakunin said that Putin told the Russian government to examine the question of state support for the Company’s initiative to build 1520 mm broad-gauge track in European countries. Yakunin noted that the Company has developed proposals to build broad-gauge track to Vienna and has received a preliminary agreement with the Austrian Chancellor.
Yakunin also said that realistically, a high-speed train between St. Petersburg and Moscow could be built between 2012 and 2014, but did not say how much investment would be required for the project since it is still under development. However, Yakunin pointed to international experience in building high-speed routes, where 1 kilometre of track costs about EUR 100 million, although “it could be done more cheaply in Russia.”
Answering a question on the amount of investment required for Russian Railways to modernise its infrastructure, Yakunin said than just increasing the through capacity on the Trans-Siberian by improving and building facilities and equipment is estimated at USD140 billion.
Yakunin said that at the meeting, it was remarked that money from the Investment Fund were insufficient for that purpose, “so in that regard it is necessary to look at the possibility of receiving budget financing for similar projects.”
Yakunin also said that President Putin approved the Company’s plans to take part in a tender for a concession of Armenian Railways. The conditions for the tender are now being worked out. Yakunin said that “there is enough transport work within Armenian to make us examine seriously our participation in the tender. The increase in freight flows via Iran and the development of the ferry link on the Caspian means we won’t be left without work there,” said Yakunin.
In addition, Vladimir Putin told the government to solve the problem raised by giving discounts on railway tickets to students and schoolchildren. Yakunin pointed out that in two years, Russian Railways had lost over 2.7 billion roubles in income from providing discounts to students and schoolchildren, which in effect amounts to “a subsidy from the Company.”
Yakunin said that Putin told the Russian government to examine the question of state support for the Company’s initiative to build 1520 mm broad-gauge track in European countries. Yakunin noted that the Company has developed proposals to build broad-gauge track to Vienna and has received a preliminary agreement with the Austrian Chancellor.
Yakunin also said that realistically, a high-speed train between St. Petersburg and Moscow could be built between 2012 and 2014, but did not say how much investment would be required for the project since it is still under development. However, Yakunin pointed to international experience in building high-speed routes, where 1 kilometre of track costs about EUR 100 million, although “it could be done more cheaply in Russia.”
Answering a question on the amount of investment required for Russian Railways to modernise its infrastructure, Yakunin said than just increasing the through capacity on the Trans-Siberian by improving and building facilities and equipment is estimated at USD140 billion.
Yakunin said that at the meeting, it was remarked that money from the Investment Fund were insufficient for that purpose, “so in that regard it is necessary to look at the possibility of receiving budget financing for similar projects.”
Yakunin also said that President Putin approved the Company’s plans to take part in a tender for a concession of Armenian Railways. The conditions for the tender are now being worked out. Yakunin said that “there is enough transport work within Armenian to make us examine seriously our participation in the tender. The increase in freight flows via Iran and the development of the ferry link on the Caspian means we won’t be left without work there,” said Yakunin.
In addition, Vladimir Putin told the government to solve the problem raised by giving discounts on railway tickets to students and schoolchildren. Yakunin pointed out that in two years, Russian Railways had lost over 2.7 billion roubles in income from providing discounts to students and schoolchildren, which in effect amounts to “a subsidy from the Company.”
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