How and where do the Swallows fly?
The high-speed electric train "Swallow" made its first flight on January 23, 2013, departing from St. Petersburg to Bologoe and Veliky Novgorod. Since then, the number of train routes has increased significantly, the demand for it has increased. Undoubtedly, this is a very convenient, comfortable and fast way to travel.
After St. Petersburg, the Universiade in Kazan became the debut of the high-speed Swallow. She transported passengers to and from the airport, but she was perceived more like an Aeroexpress train. But that's another story. After the high-speed trains got another interesting nickname "Olympic". It's not hard to guess, since they were transporting passengers at the Winter Olympics in Sochi. Since then, the development of the German company Siemens AG has gradually begun to appear in other cities of Russia. It is worth noting that such compositions are common in 17 countries. For example, in Germany, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Great Britain and others.
Today "Swallow" consists of 5 cars, with a capacity of 443 passengers, in a double composition of 886 people (the number of seats is indicated according to the tariff "standard"). The maximum speed that the electric train develops is 160 kilometers per hour. Special racks are equipped for luggage in each car, toilets are located in the head cars, a climate control system is installed everywhere for a comfortable temperature, video surveillance is conducted in all cars and monitors are installed where you can find out about the weather, train speed, the nearest station and arrival time, and various video clips are also played there. For convenience, there are 8 sockets in each car. They are located to the right and left of the entrance to each vestibule. Therefore, when choosing these places, keep in mind that you may be disturbed by those who need to recharge their gadget. Please note that smoking is prohibited in the composition, the Swallow is equipped with smoke detectors, a fine is provided for violation, according to the law. If you get hungry on the way, you can use the services of a mobile bar, which offers soft drinks, sandwiches, chocolate and much more.
Nevertheless, the Swallow is more like a trip to a comfortable train: wide doors, tight seating for passengers (in a row of 2-3 seats on each side), soft seats. In Europe, the operation of such trains is intended for suburban routes. Please note that the odd places are at the windows. Ticket sales for the train start 90 days before departure. Fares are not subject to dynamic pricing, so the price is fixed for specific routes.
You can also purchase additional services. In business class (1P) and Economy + (2M) there is additional convenience in the form of leather chairs with adjustable backs, a folding or window table. The following services are provided in business class: pre-selection of meals and meals themselves, a press, a travel kit and a children's kit (when buying a children's ticket), as well as a press. Please note that these services are provided on certain routes.
When buying a ticket for the Swallow, remember that special fares also apply for this train: 65-70% discount for children under 10 years old, -30% for students from 10 to 21 years old, -30% for passengers over 60 years old, -50% for schoolchildren (there are restrictions on routes and purchase dates), -20% when buying a round-trip ticket, -40% for passengers with limited mobility and passengers with disabilities. In addition, there are special fares for group passengers, the purchase of tickets only at specialized ticket offices. Also, when buying a Universal card, there is a 10% discount. Its cost is 1000 rubles for one month or 3000 rubles for 12 months. Take note if you travel frequently, it also applies to other trains.
Transportation of pets is allowed, but only in special places, which are located in cars 3, 5 and 10 (depending on the route). An additional payment of 150 rubles will be required. Only small animals are allowed to be transported (large dogs are prohibited) in special containers or carriers, while the sum of the three dimensions should not exceed 189 centimeters (the size of ordinary hand luggage). Please note that this does not apply to guide dogs, they travel with a passenger for free.
And now we turn to the most important thing, the directions and routes where this high-speed train runs. From Moscow and back, you can take a Swallow to Belgorod, Ivanovo, Nizhny Novgorod, Orel, Kursk, St. Petersburg, Smolensk, Tver. From St. Petersburg and back, the electric train goes to the following stations and cities: Bologoe, Veliky Novgorod, Volkhovstroy, Vyborg, Zelenogorsk, Kalishche, Canneliarvi, Luga, Mill Creek, Oranienbaum, Petrozavodsk, Pskov, Pechory, Roshchino, Tosno, Sortavala. Also «Swallow » can be found on the following routes: Pskov – V.Novgorod – Petrozavodsk; Yekaterinburg – Kurgan; Perm – Yekaterinburg; Tyumen – Yekaterinburg; Adler – Maykop; Anapa – Krasnodar; Imereti Resort – Armavir; Kislovodsk; Krasnodar; Kislovodsk; Rostov; Krasnodar; Adler; Rostov; Novorossiysk Rostov; Krasnodar; Tuapse; Rostov-The Main Channel of Novorossiysk; Krasnodar; Adler, Rosa Khutor, Imereti Resort (railway station Olympic Park); Imereti Resort (Olympic Park Station), Adler – Maykop; Imereti Resort (Olympic Park Station) – Armavir; Sochi – Rosa Khutor; Tuapse – Imereti Resort (Olympic Park Station); Imereti Resort (Olympic Park Station) – Lazarevskaya; Rosa Khutor – Sochi Airport; Lazarevskaya – Sochi Airport; Tuapse – Sochi Airport; Sochi – Sochi Airport and in the opposite directions.
The number of routes increases every year, as does the number of Swallows in the country. In the future, we expect double-decker trains, which are planned to be launched in 2022, Moscow – Nizhny Novgorod may become a pilot route. And in the future, they will be launched in all directions to the south, where there is a large passenger traffic. Two-storey trains also provide compartment seats.
