AROUND 319,000 fans used the free trains operated by Russian Railways (RZD) during the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia until July 17, with 734 free trips scheduled along 31 routes between the 11 host cities of the football matches.

The trains were equipped with air-conditioning, power sockets and compartments for passengers with reduced mobility. More than 2300 conductors and administrators and about 4000 station personnel received special training.

The 31 railway stations in the host cities and five stations at intermediary stops along the routes were adapted to help passengers with reduced mobility and equipped with free Wi-Fi. When the route of the passengers was changed, they were informed by loudspeakers and additional temporary navigation was available.

The peak was on June 24, when 45 free trains were used by more than 26,000 fans.

“Railway workers contributed greatly to the immense success of the competitions,” says CEO and chairman of the board of RZD Mr Oleg Belozyorov. “We have received positive feedback from both fans and our foreign colleagues.”

“Now we have earned invaluable experience that we can use for future events of a similar scale,” Belozyorov says. “This is especially important on the eve of the international Winter Universiade, which will be held next spring in Krasnoyarsk.”