OREANDA-NEWS. February 21, 2011. The President of Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin reported to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on the implementation of instruction to enhance security measures on rail transport, reported the press-centre of Russian Railways.

At the meeting on 15 February 2011, Vladimir Yakunin said: "In accordance with your instructions, I’m reporting that 80 metal detector frames have now been installed at all 9 Moscow stations, another 22 in St. Petersburg and two each at Tver and Vyborg stations, so we have a total of 106 metal detector frames."

According to Yakunin, 93 employees from private security companies plus officers from the transport police are involved every day in security at Moscow’s 9 railway stations and the work on metal detectors.

A comprehensive programme adopted in July 2010 provided for equipping 34 railway stations with inspection systems for checking passengers and their luggage, radio signal suppression systems and blast containers.

The implementation of these measures was delayed, however, since in accordance with current legislation, the tender procedures to identify the provider alone took over two months, while the requisite funds from the federal budget were only transferred to Russian Railways on 30 December 2010.

"Russian Railways therefore decided to commit its own funds to buy metal detectors for installation at the stations in order to proceed up the process," said Vladimir Yakunin.

Yakunin also drew the President’s attention to the fact that the Company has developed proposals on rail security which must be supported by the necessary legislation.

In order to increase vigilance and develop the right procedures in the event of emergencies, station employees and engine and train crews will constantly undergo training and the Company’s internal security regulations will be improved.

Russian Railways is also allocating over 12 billion roubles annually from its own resources in order to ensure the security of passengers and of more than 5,000 of the most important facilities of the Company’s transport infrastructure.

To enhance security at unclassified rail stations, 41 Class 1 stations and about 90% of Class 2 stations are being equipped with closed-circuit television systems (CCTV) with feeds to the law enforcement agencies. Work is also being carried out to equip Class 3 stations with similar hardware systems.

In 2011, 149 railway stations, including seven in Moscow, were placed under the protection of private security organisations at a total cost of 287.6 million roubles.