On 30 July 2010, Sapsan trains began running on the Moscow – Nizhny Novgorod line. With the launch of the Sapsan service between Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Railways has established a new high-speed route: Nizhny Novgorod – Moscow – St Petersburg.

The ceremonial launch of the new Sapsan route took place at Nizhny Novgorod’s Moskovsky Station. Russian Railways President Vladimir Yakunin took part in the event.

“Today we have witnessed one more landmark step. This day has been eagerly awaited in Nizhny Novgorod, because now this city, with its population of over a million, will be linked to Moscow and St Petersburg by a high-speed, reliable, and comfortable means of transport”, Vladimir Yakunin said at the ceremony.

To prepare for the high-speed service, the infrastructure of the Moscow – Nizhny Novgorod line was modernized. The work was conducted from 2006 to 2010. Over this period, construction and reconstruction was carried out at 54 passenger platforms, 139 km of overhead lines were fully overhauled, barriers were built along 331 km of the route, and various other improvements were made.