On 22 September, Belaruskaya Railway Station in Moscow hosted a formal event celebrating the first anniversary of the Moscow – Nice train route.

On its maiden trip, almost exactly one year ago on 23 September 2010, Train №17/18, operated by Federal Passenger Company (a subsidiary of Russian Railways) departed Belaruskaya Railway Station in Moscow for Nice.

Before the one-year anniversary departure of the Moscow - Nice train, passengers participated in festivities commemorating the occasion. On the platform an exposition of photographs was arranged of places that the train passes en route from Moscow to Nice. In addition, touch-screen panels were available, where guests could access a map of the route, read about the cities in which the train stops, get a brief historical background and see photos of the main points of interest. All passengers of the anniversary train were able to take part in a lottery with prizes.

Federal Passenger Company Deputy General Director Andrei Kaliberdin recounted the success of the new train route:

“During the year, more than six thousand passengers have bought tickets for the train. The popularity of the new route is growing. Last year an average of 258 tickets were sold per month, whereas this year a monthly average of 559 tickets have been sold”, he said.

Summer was the most popular season for the Moscow - Nice train. In June – August, 2,878 tickets were sold.

(Source: RZD)