Supreme State Council decrees to launch suburban trains to connect Smolensk, Orsha, Vitebsk
17:13, 26 February
Photo: BELTA
The Supreme State Council of the Union State of Belarus and Russia has decided in favor of connecting the Belarusian cities of Orsha and Vitebsk and the Russian city of Smolensk with suburban trains. The relevant ordinance of the Supreme State Council was signed as a result of the council’s session held in Moscow on 26 February, BelTA has learned.
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State Secretary of the Union State of Belarus and Russia Sergey Glazyev shared some details with reporters after the session: “According to our transport ministries, which presented a report on the matter, the organization of railway service will begin soon. We hope that on the Day of Unity that we mark at the beginning of April residents of Smolensk Oblast and Vitebsk Oblast near the border will already be able to use this service.”
All the privileges available to people travelling by rail will be preserved for all categories of citizens. “The fares will be affordable. It will be comfortable to travel. Electric trains with increased comfort will be used. It will be faster and cheaper [to travel by rail] than by other means of transportation, including by road. It was mentioned today that three pairs of trains will shuttle along each route every day,” the official said.
“If this pilot project sees demand, we will expand communications with other bordering regions of Belarus and constituent entities of the Russian Federation,” Sergey Glazyev added.
