"No serious problems have arisen?" Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin asked CEO of Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin with regard to the Sapsan high-speed train. 'No serious problems have arisen," Mr. Yakunin replied. Their meeting was held immediately following the announcement that the term of ticket sales for Sapsan trains would be reduced from 45 to 15 days, thus making it impossible to book the tickets after March 13. Unofficial sources claimed that the chance was caused by technical malfunctions, citing photos of a wheel set with 6mm cracks (quite some wear and tear after only a month of operation!). The company's press service confirmed the reduction of the sales term and said that the company was considering the opportunity of increasing traffic frequency and amending the schedule of the Sapsan trains. However, the company restored the sales term to the previous level of 45 days on the following day. No amendments were seen in the schedules but Russian Railways had only "considered the opportunity." As for technical malfunctions, they were also explained. "Of course the train is operated under the supervision of its producer, Siemens, which allows us to clear up operational details," Mr. Yakunin told the prime minister. Mr. Putin was satisfied with the answer. But an unpleasant question comes to mind: are the passengers guinea pigs? And was the trip of Vladimir Putin from Petersburg to Moscow by Sapsan train "operated under supervision" as well?
In 2006, Russian Railways bought eight high-speed trains for 276mn euros from Germany's Siemens and signed a 354.1-million-euro contract to maintain them for 30 years. The German company modified the Velaro trains for the Russian climate, providing trains with heightened cold resistance. According to the website of Russian Railways, the Sapsan train can operate smoothly at the temperature of 50 degrees below zero. The train was launched in December and its doors soon became jammed. In his turn, Mr. Yakunin in his interview to Vesti TV channel said that the train had never operated at the temperature of 32 degrees below zero. At the same time, he added that many people came to take a photo standing near the beautiful red train, because no one wanted to be photographed with an ugly one.
Dagaeva Anastasia