OREANDA-NEWS. December 26, 2008. “Today we present the first of eight Sapsan high-speed electric trains,” said Vladimir Yakunin, the President of Russian Railways, at the presentation, reported the press-centre of Russian Railways.

“The Sapsan still has to pass a whole series of tests and the certification procedure, but by the end of 2009 it will be carrying its first passengers and offer a serious alternative to aviation, covering the Moscow - Saint Petersburg run in just 3:45 hours. In addition, the fares will be lower than flights on the same route,” said Yakunin.
 
The Sapsan is a high-speed electric train in the Velaro RUS series produced by Siemens Transportation Systems. Russian Railways signed a contract with the Siemens’ transportation division worth EUR276 million in May 2006 to supply 8 Velaro RUS trains and a further 30-year contract in April 2007 amounting to EUR 354.1 million for train maintenance.