Baltic States – CIS, Estonia, Good for Business, Railways, Transport

Since the routes have lost nearly 40% of the passengers since this spring, the possibility was under discussion that to maintain the rail connection with Russia, the Estonian state could take over the East-direction trains.

Etverk said, however, that the Estonian side held very constructive negotiations with the Russian Railways and promises to soon announce a fall of ticket prices.

"The ticket price is composed of several components. It consists of the tariff to be paid by each passenger in the Russian side, and it also consists of the operator's fee. If all goes well, the Russian side tariff will fall," said Etverk.

Chairman of the Board of Eesti Raudtee (Estonian Railways) Raivo Vare estimates that lowering prices to get passengers is a temporary measure and discussions need to continue on how to keep the trains to the East operating in a sustainable manner.