Russian Railways asks for more money for high-speed railway
RZD counted the cost of one of its biggest projects — the construction of high-speed railway line Moscow — Kazan. The total budget increased to 1.2 trillion rubles., and requested the state subsidies — up to 600 billion
First Vice-President Russian Railways Alexander Misharin sent to the Ministry of transport revised data (there is at RBC) on the cost of construction of high speed railway (HSR) Moscow — Nizhny Novgorod — Kazan. The total capital cost of the project increased compared with calculations 2014 at 131 billion rubles to 1,1995 trillion rubles as a result, the monopoly asking for more money from the Federal budget for its implementation — 643 bn and not 505 billion, as of two years ago.
The total length is 770 km, one kilometer construction cost of 1.56 billion rubles.
The growth of expenditure confirms the officer of the government. The increase in project cost due to inflation and fluctuations of the ruble, says Misharin. The influence of these factors was stronger than the economies of new technological solutions, which Russian Railways is ready to use in the construction of CSM, said in the letter.
The real cost has not risen, says the press service of the Railways on the request of RBC. In the company explain that the costs adjusted for indexes-deflators and the cost of debt financing, taking into account the changes in the key rate. The press service of the Ministry of transport and the representative of the Vice Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich has not yet responded to the request.
The main reason of growth of the estimates of delays with the project, explains the employee of the Railways. According to him, if the project started to implement in 2014, then the appreciation could be avoided. “In fact, the building itself is not more expensive and increased the cost of money, including the borrowing that you want to attract. Plus inflation,” explains a source in RZD. According to him, the project is one of the cheapest in the world in dollar terms: because of the growth of the ruble estimates in dollars declined from $32 billion to $17 billion Figures confirms a press-service of Russian Railways.
To build a high speed railway from Moscow to Kazan was planned by 2018 by the FIFA world Cup. However, the Ministry of Finance and economic development Ministry refused to allocate from the Federal budget subsidies to the construction site and 150 billion rubles from the national welfare Fund (NWF). For example, the Ministry of Finance considered the overestimated forecast of passenger traffic and doubt that the Railways will be able to recover its funds. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev supported the decision.
Imported high-speed trains of Russia
According to Russian high-speed rail routes go train overseas. Russian Railways began to purchase high-speed trains abroad since 2007.
“Sapsan” (Velaro RUS), production of Siemens
High-speed trains “Sapsan” (Velaro RUS) manufactured by the German company Siemens began to run on the route Moscow — St. Petersburg in December 2009 and in July 2010 — between Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod. The first contract for the supply and maintenance for 30 years of eight “Peregrine” Russian Railways and Siemens signed in 2007, its value totalled €600 million.
Allegro, manufacturing Alstom
In December 2010 between St. Petersburg and Helsinki began to go high-speed Allegro trains produced by the French company Alstom. Rolling stock from Alstom in September 2007 bought company Oy Karelian Trains Ltd is a joint venture of RZD and VR Group (state railway company of Finland). The value of the contract for the supply of four trains amounted to €120 million.
“Swallow”, the production of Siemens
In January 2013 began operation of high-speed suburban electric trains “Lastochka”. The first routes were formed in the Leningrad region, then “Swallows” began to go to other areas, including on long-distance routes. The first contract for the development and delivery of 38 trains worth €410 million Russian Railways and Siemens signed in 2009.
“Strizh” production of Patentes Talgo S. L.
In 2012 RZD has signed with the Spanish company Patentes Talgo S. L. a contract for €135 million for the supply of seven high-speed trains Talgo 250. In Russia they are called “swift”. From 1 June 2015, the Swifts were replaced by “Peregrines” on the route Moscow — Nizhny Novgorod. In 2016 it is planned to run these trains on the route Moscow — Berlin.
