An archive photo
MINSK, 2 April (BelTA) – On the 30th anniversary of the unity of the peoples of Belarus and Russia, commuter passenger train service was launched on the Smolensk-Orsha and Smolensk-Vitebsk routes, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Transport and Communications Ministry.
The first route was launched via a videoconference with Belarusian Transport and Communications Minister Aleksei Lyakhnovich and Belarusian Railways chief Valery Verenich.
Taking part in the ceremony on the Russian side were Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev, Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin and Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov.
“The launch of cross-border railway routes between Russia and Belarus is a historic decision for the Union State. It is an important step towards creating a unified transport system for our countries and improving people’s quality of life. We are saving passengers’ most valuable resource – time. Previously, a similar trip between Vitebsk and Smolensk took up to five hours. Now it takes two hours. There is no longer any need to change trains at the border. Passengers will be transported on modern, comfortable electric trains, and later on Lastochka and Finist trains,” Andrei Nikitin said. “I am convinced that the number of joint transport projects between Belarus and Russia will only grow.”
According to him, Smolensk and Orsha will see two train services per day in each direction, with an additional service in summer. Between Vitebsk and Smolensk, between one and three services will run daily, depending on the season, holidays and weekends.
The Belarusian Railways chief noted that today a new chapter is opening in cooperation on developing passenger services between Belarus and Russia. “The railway is more than just transport – it connects cities, destinies, economies and cultures. It is a route to family, friends, and to new opportunities. Today, there are even more trains linking Belarus and Russia. This is an example of truly brotherly relations between our peoples. I am confident that the new routes will be in demand, beloved and truly popular. Our citizens should be able to travel comfortably, without hindrance and at an affordable price not only between the capitals but also between the regions of Belarus and Russia. The launch of train service will act as a driver for the development of economic relations between Smolensk Oblast and Vitebsk Oblast, boosting business, increasing population mobility and fostering even closer cultural integration of our brotherly peoples. Thanks to our trains, it will become even easier to attend major cultural events in neighboring regions,” Valery Verenich stressed.
The first route was launched via a videoconference with Belarusian Transport and Communications Minister Aleksei Lyakhnovich and Belarusian Railways chief Valery Verenich.
Taking part in the ceremony on the Russian side were Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev, Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin and Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov.
“The launch of cross-border railway routes between Russia and Belarus is a historic decision for the Union State. It is an important step towards creating a unified transport system for our countries and improving people’s quality of life. We are saving passengers’ most valuable resource – time. Previously, a similar trip between Vitebsk and Smolensk took up to five hours. Now it takes two hours. There is no longer any need to change trains at the border. Passengers will be transported on modern, comfortable electric trains, and later on Lastochka and Finist trains,” Andrei Nikitin said. “I am convinced that the number of joint transport projects between Belarus and Russia will only grow.”
According to him, Smolensk and Orsha will see two train services per day in each direction, with an additional service in summer. Between Vitebsk and Smolensk, between one and three services will run daily, depending on the season, holidays and weekends.
The Belarusian Railways chief noted that today a new chapter is opening in cooperation on developing passenger services between Belarus and Russia. “The railway is more than just transport – it connects cities, destinies, economies and cultures. It is a route to family, friends, and to new opportunities. Today, there are even more trains linking Belarus and Russia. This is an example of truly brotherly relations between our peoples. I am confident that the new routes will be in demand, beloved and truly popular. Our citizens should be able to travel comfortably, without hindrance and at an affordable price not only between the capitals but also between the regions of Belarus and Russia. The launch of train service will act as a driver for the development of economic relations between Smolensk Oblast and Vitebsk Oblast, boosting business, increasing population mobility and fostering even closer cultural integration of our brotherly peoples. Thanks to our trains, it will become even easier to attend major cultural events in neighboring regions,” Valery Verenich stressed.
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