The new double-deck rolling stock was especially manufactured for Aeroexpress by the Swiss producer Stadler. Upgrading of the rolling stock is another step on the way of Aeroexpress’ development before the 2018 FIFA World Cup starts. As part of preparations for the main sports event that will take place next year, the company has already finished constructing its new platform at Domodedovo Airport. Currently, Aeroexpress is building the second platform, renovating the one at Paveletsky Rail Terminal, and upgrading its Wi-Fi network. All these measures will ensure the highest level of comfort and safety to guests and participants of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
On the occasion of putting the first new train into service, Aeroexpress held an official ceremony. The Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation Maxim Sokolov was one of the first to estimate the new rolling stock. He explored the train together with the CEO of Aeroexpress Alexey Krivoruchko, First Deputy Head of Moscow’s Department of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development Gamid Bulatov, Chairman of the Board of the International Vnukovo Airport Vitaly Vantsev and other officials representing the transport industry. Passengers took the first ride on the new train at 14:00.
“The introduction of new double-deck trains is the most important event in the recent years. A few city carriers have already upgraded their rolling stock and putting new Aeroexpress trains into operation logically continues this trend. We are confident that our passengers will truly appreciate all technological novelties implemented in our double-deck trains,” said Alexey Krivoruchko, Chief Executive Officer of Aeroexpress.
“In 2015, the Moscow government signed 15-year-long agreements with suburban railway carriers for the provision of comprehensive transport services. This has enabled the companies to start implementing their large-scale programmes aimed at upgrading their rolling stock and purchase modern, reliable, and comfortable trains. It has become possible for Aeroexpress to raise long-term funding and put into operation modern double-deck trains. Together with Lastochka and Ivolga trains running along the Leningrad and Kievsky railway routes correspondingly, they will change passengers’ perception of comfort aboard suburban trains. A total of 30% of rolling stock serving suburban routes has been upgraded since 2010”, said the First Deputy Head of Moscow’s Department of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development Gamid Bulatov.
”We are proud to present a double-deck KISS train produced by our company for Aeroexpress. Stadler had an ambitious assignment – to develop a unique train in terms of its technical dimensions and passenger capacity, that has never been in operation in Russia before. This contact has become a significant milestone for Stadler, enabling our company to make a huge breakthrough into the Russian railway market”, said the CEO of Stadler Group Peter Spuhler.
”Vnukovo Airport serves over 60,000 passengers every day. We strive to create the most comfortable and convenient travelling conditions for each of them. The introduction of the new double-deck Aeroexpress trains running to our airport is an essential step on the way of creating high-quality transport infrastructure,” said Vasily Alexandrov, CEO of the International Vnukovo Airport.
”The today’s event is an outstanding result of painstaking work and cooperation of all the parties of this complicated and unique transaction. The structure of the latter made it possible to efficiently solve the issue of long-term foreign exchange risks connected with the purchase of foreign machinery by Russian companies. Putting these excellent trains into service will enable the carrier to provide comfortable travel conditions and the high level of passenger service and safety, which is vital before such an important event as the 2018 FIFA World Cup”, said Alexey Belous, Chairman of the Board at Gazprombank.
By the end of November, the company plans to operate four new trains on the route between Kievsky Rail Terminal and Vnukovo Airport. Seven double-deck trains will run to Domodedovo Airport. First trains will start transporting passengers along this route in November and the other trains will be put into operation before the end of this year. The company has purchased a total of eleven double-deck trains.
The new ESh-2 trains can reach the speed of 160 km/h. Four-carriage and six-carriage trains provide 396 and 700 seats correspondingly, of which 84 seats are in business class carriages. Each carriage is furnished with several screens, sockets, easily transformable comfortable seats, and a free Wi-Fi network.