The Sapsan – Russia’s first high-speed train

19.01.2010 (15:39) | RZD Russian Railways _ Press Centre

Russian Railways high-speed Sapsan train’s passenger count tops 77,000 in first month.

The date 17 January 2010 marked one month since the launch of the high-speed Sapsan train service between Moscow and St Petersburg. From 17 December 2009 to 17 January 2010, high-speed Sapsan trains carried 77,043 passengers. The Sapsan service’s average daily passenger count is around 2,500. The Sapsan trains run three times daily on a mirror timetable, departing simultaneously from St Petersburg and Moscow in the morning, day, and evening. Each train has 10 carriages, of which two are first class and eight are second class. Basic ticket prices are: 5300 rubles for first class, and 3300.2 rubles for second class. The price of a first class ticket includes hot food (with a choice of meals), as well as reading materials and travel packs (containing ear plugs, eye masks, and slippers), and also children’s packs. Passengers in second class carriages can order hot food from the bistro carriage for additional payment, use the internet, and also access video and audio programmes.

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The Sapsan is a high-speed electric train of the Velaro RUS series produced by Siemens Transportation Systems, and capable of a maximum speed of 250 km/h. The train was named after the fastest bird on the planet. The peregrine falcon, known in Russian as the sapsan, can reach speeds of over 322 km/h, or 90 m/s.

Specifications and equipment of the Sapsan

The Sapsan is the fastest bird in the falcon family, so it was an appropriate name for this new train, which can reach speeds of up to 250 kmph. Produced with true German precision by Siemens, the Sapsan is fully adapted to the harsh climate of Russia.

Composition of the Sapsan:

* 2 business class carriages;
* 7 economy class carriages;
* 1 bistro car.

Number of passenger seats on the Sapsan - 554.

Safety

* Safety glass, shock-resistant and fireproof structural parts and finishing materials used throughout;
* All units are constantly monitored online by the service centre;
* Ergonomic design of carriage compartments, no sharp edges or corners to exclude risk to passengers.

Comfort

* Seat design and fittings on the Sapsan take into account passenger behaviour to ensure high comfort levels even on longer journeys;
* A comfortable environment is maintained in the cabin regardless of the season;
* Modern insulating materials ensure low noise levels;
* Bright fluorescent day lighting and subdued night lighting create an environment corresponding to the time of day;
* Carriage windows are made of insulating laminated glass and equipped with sun blinds. In winter, windows are heated by circulating warm air to prevent fogging;
* All compartments have clothes hangers and ample space for storing bulky luggage;
* Coaches have soft carpets for comfort and additional sound insulation;
* The toilet of the sixth coach has a collapsible table for changing nappies;
* All carriages have smoking areas.

Informing passengers

* Two large boards in each carriage display the carriage number and keep passengers up to date during the entire trip about saloon air temperature and current speed;
* An electronic routing board near the front door of each carriage also tells passengers about the carriage class and train direction.

Places for people with disabilities

The sixth carriage of the Sapsan has a specially allotted area which is equipped with a reliable mount for accommodating wheelchairs and a call button wire. A special toilet designed for wheelchair users is close at hand and, like all the other toilets, is equipped with emergency call button. The floor throughout the Sapsan is at one level to facilitate the movement of wheelchairs. The table at the seat for a passenger with disabilities also takes into account special needs and has no legs and leans back up.

Bistro Car

* The bistro car of the Sapsan gives passengers the choice eating standing up at one of the two bar tables or sitting comfortably at one of the ten window tables;
* We also possible to deliver hot meals from the bistro car to passengers at their seats. The mobile bar also offers soft and alcoholic drinks.

Specifications of business and economy carriages on the Sapsan

Passenger seats

Business-class carriage
* adjustable backrest
* individual lighting
* folding or window table
* folding footrest
* built-in audio-visual unit
* socket between seats for notebooks and recharging
* adjustable backrest
* individual lighting
* folding or window table folding footrest

Economy-class carriage
* adjustable backrest
* individual lighting
* folding or window table
* folding footrest

Services included in the ticket price

Business-class carriage
* fresh newspapers
* travel set
* children’s travel set for people travelling with children
* hot meal from the menu
* freshly brewed tea, natural coffee, soft or alcoholic beverages
* booking a taxi

Economy-class carriage
* booking a taxi

Additional services at extra charge

Economy-class carriage
* fresh newspapers
* bistro services

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