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Russian Railways in talks to resume railway communication between Moscow and Tallinn

The railway connection between Tallinn and Moscow was stopped for an indefinite period from May 18 due to reduction in traffic

© ITAR-TASS/Anton Novoderezhkin

SAINT PETERSBURG, May 25. /TASS/. Russian Railways is negotiating the resumption of railway communication between Moscow and Tallinn passing through Saint Petersburg, CEO of the Federal Passenger Company Mikhail Akulov told journalists Monday.

"Russian Railways trains did not handle the train operation on this route - it was carried out by Estonian company Go Rail. The decline in traffic led to financial pressure. When it manifested we held negotiations with the company and were looking for opportunities to increase the demand for shipping operations with our participation, but, unfortunately, on the whole it did not help the company to ensure the profitability of this route, so it stopped the railway communication," Akulov said.

According to him, the Federal Passenger Company and railway companies of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia met in early May in Saint Petersburg. "Among other things they discussed the current issue. One of the options - is to launch Tallin-Moscow group of trains from Moscow to Saint Petersburg and then another group - Saint Petersburg to Estonia. The negotiations are in progress, we are ready to make a decision, but we need time, because one carrier leaving and being replaced by another comes with certain procedures. We want this railway communication to be restored," Akulov said.

As was previously reported, the railway connection between Tallinn and Moscow was stopped for an indefinite period from May 18 due to reduction in traffic. The route was operated by the Estonian private carrier Go Rail. Later, it was reported that the Estonian state-owned company Estonian Railways was in talks on further service line with the Russian Railways to resume the route.

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