The new line is expected to see 42 trains per
direction per day with 14 million passengers per year. RZD says the
route is more-or-less defined, although a decision has yet to be made
on whether the line will serve airports in Moscow and St Petersburg.

RZD will host an international conference on the €20 billion
public-private partnership project at the end of this year and a road
show will be organised next year for banks and construction companies.
Tendering for the finance-design-build-maintain life-cycle contract
will begin in 2012.

RZD has committed funds to the project after Russian President Mr
Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree in March which gives RZD the exclusive
rights to develop high-speed lines in Russia.