OREANDA-NEWS. July 29, 2013. In the first half of 2013, more than 283,500 passengers travelled on the service between Russia and Finland, 20% more than during the same period in 2012.

Passenger traffic between Russia and Finland accounts for more than 70% of Russia's total passenger traffic with countries outside the former Soviet Union.

The increase in passenger traffic with Finland is mainly due to the increase of passengers travelling on the Allegro high-speed trains operating between St. Petersburg - Helsinki. In the first six months of 2013, 215,500 passengers travelled on the Allegro, 30% more than the 165,400 passengers in January - June of last year. The main increase in traffic was on the early morning service of Allegro Train No. 152 Helsinki - St Petersburg and Train No. 151 St. Petersburg - Helsinki.

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The Allegro high-speed train is the first international project between the two national carriers Russian Railways and Finland's VR-Group Ltd. The launch of the Allegro services on 12 December 2010 reduced the travel time between Helsinki and Russia's northern capital St. Petersburg from 6 hours 18 minutes to just 3 hours 36 minutes, which not only facilitated an increased flow of tourists, but also strengthened business ties between the two countries.

Passenger numbers on the Allegro high-speed trains since they came into operation at the beginning of 2012 have shown a steady increase:

13,400 passengers in 2010 (as of 12 December)

299,400 passengers in 2011

354,100 passengers in 2012.