OREANDA-NEWS.  January 28, 2013. The Lastochka electric train departed from the Moscow railway station in St. Petersburg on its first journey with passengers, reported the press-centre of RZD.

The ceremony marking the commission of the Lastochka and the start of its commercial operations was attended by Valentin Gapanovich, Senior Vice President at Russian Railways, Mikhail Akulov, Vice President at Russian Railways, Dmitry Pegov, Managing Director of High-Speed Communications at Russian Railways, Victor Stepov, head of October Railways, Igor Mitsuko, Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Railway Transport, Alexander Drozdenko, Governor of Leningrad Region, Sergei Mitin, Governor of Novgorod Region and Jochen Eickholt, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Business Unit Rail Automation, Siemens AG, Infrastructure & Cities Sector.

"The Lastochka electric train is an innovative project in the field of passenger transport. It is designed to operate in Russia’s climate and meet our technology standards and special requirements regarding safety and environmental protection. It meets the needs of the most discerning passenger," said Valentin Gapanovich in his speech during the ceremony. He also reminded those present that in order to develop further the manufacturing of modern high-speed motor-train units in Russia, work was continuing on setting up a joint venture in Russia to produce the Lastochka.

According to Victor Stepov, Head of October Railways, the Lastochka is a step towards the regions. Passengers from St. Petersburg, Leningrad and Novgorod regions will be the first to appreciate the comfort offered by the new train.

Irina Zadaura, who lives in Bologoye, was the first passenger to buy a ticket for the Lastochka. Irina was presented with a certificate en route commemorating her status as the first passenger on the Lastochka by Dmitry Pegov, Managing Director of High-Speed Communications at Russian Railways.

The first Lastochka service operates on two routes: between St. Petersburg - Chudovo - Novgorod-on-Volkhov and St. Petersburg - Chudovo - Bologoye.

Later this year, Lastochka services are scheduled to begin from Kazan and Sochi.

Russian Railways seeks to improve the population’s transport accessibility and mobility.