OREANDA-NEWS. On August 06, 2007 Vladimir Yakunin, President of Russian Railways, and Yuri Luzhkov, mayor of Moscow, have discussed areas for cooperation, reported the press-centre of Russian Railways.

“Russian Railways intends to present to Moscow proposals from investors to develop railway facilities and territories in the capital which are currently rarely used by the Company,” said Vladimir Yakunin.

At present, 18 Moscow territories with a total area of 350 hectares are being developed. The necessary reports from the city authorities regarding the use of buildings are currently being drawn up for 9 of these territories and will be ready by the end of 2007. Ready for implementation are building projects on the territories owned by Russian Railways and land owned by the city which is adjacent to Riga Railway Station, as well as land owned by the Russian Railways’ subsidiary, the Voytovicha Rail Repair Plant.

“To develop the Small Ring of Moscow Railways, Russian Railways is prepared to invest up to 4 billion roubles within the framework of the 2008 budget to begin the necessary reconstruction of rail infrastructure," said Vladimir Yakunin.

Russian Railways is ready to examine and make any necessary changes to its investment program for 2008-2009 to speed up the implementation of this project.

“Moscow is interested in the fastest implementation of the joint project on the Small Ring with Russian Railways to link up in a single unified system the intermodal transport network of Moscow’s three airports, and also to achieve a major improvement in the transport situation in the Greater Moscow region,” said Yuri Luzhkov.

Luzhkov added that Moscow is ready to finance the construction of 9 railway stations on the Small Ring and over the long term increase their number to 30. He also noted that Moscow will examine Russian Railways’ proposals regarding the city’s participation in a company to manage railway stations.