Suburban passenger trains have begun operating on the Smolensk-Orsha and Smolensk-Vitsyebsk routes, the Belarusian Transport and Communications Ministry reported. The launch was timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the “unity of the peoples of Belarus and Russia.”
The launch ceremony was held at the International Transport and Logistics Forum via a video link with the participation of Transport and Communications Minister Aliaksei Liakhnovich and Belarusian Railway chief Valery Viarenich. Representing Russia at the ceremony were Russian presidential administration deputy chief Maksim Oreshkin, Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev, Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin and Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov. The first train from Smolensk will be welcomed in Orsha with a ceremonial rally.
The lack of transfers reduces travel time by 1.5 to 3 hours. EP3D electric trains will be used on the Orsha-Smolensk route, while RA-3 diesel trains will operate on the Vitsyebsk-Smolensk route. Free or discounted travel will remain available for citizens of both countries.
