Rail freight tariffs are set to rise a mere 8 percent in 2009, President of Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin told journalists in Moscow Tuesday according to RBC. The tariff rise had initially been planned at 14 percent. The company will nevertheless get the amount it had expected to raise from a 14-percent rise, with RUB 50bn (approx. USD 1.8bn) to be added from the budget, Yakunin explained.
According to Russia's social and economic development forecast approved by the government for 2008-2011, tariffs on rail freight services were to be raised 12.5-14 percent from January 1, 2009, 9.7-13.7 percent in 2010, and 10-14 percent in 2011.