OREANDA-NEWS.  October 24, 2012.  At its 57th meeting, which was held in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, the Council for Rail Transport of the Commonwealth of Independent States reviewed the draft code for passenger trains on direct international rail services using diesel and electric trains during 2013-2014, reported the press-centre of RZD. 

The Council’s Directorate received proposals in terms of the movement of all railways. As a result, the draft set of passenger trains on direct international routes included 218 passenger trains. 51 pairs of trains on international suburban services have been scheduled provisionally.

During the discussions of the proposals received, the actual frequency of services and the occupancy rates of international passenger trains were considered which are currently included in the current timetable. At the same time, routes were specified that do not fully support the needs and demands of passengers for transportation.

It was considered expedient to include in the code new passenger trains by the railway administration in Belarus, between Minsk – Simferopol, and in Russia, between St. Petersburg – Berdyansk, Novosibirsk – Baku and Moscow – Baku.

It was also decided to put forward for the Council’s consideration the question of the regulations covering the services of 15 pairs of international passenger trains and the frequency of 7 pairs of international passenger trains on international services in the 2013-2014timetable.

In order to ensure the timely development of the timetable, the timing of the regional meetings to harmonise the transition time of trains at interstate division points was approved.
In developing the schedule, a particular focus is on increasing the average speed of trains and improving the use of the rolling stock and through capacity of the railway lines, as well as the convenience of the passengers with regard to departure times from terminal stations.

The new timetable for 2013-2014 should be ready by 1 February 2013 and enter into effect at midnight Moscow time on 26 May 2013.