Federal Passenger Company signs cooperation agreements with Finnlines Plc. and Tallink Silja
The Federal Passenger Company, a subsidiary of Russian Railways, has signed cooperation agreements with the two ferry companies Finnlines Plc. and Tallink Silja from Finland, the largest sea carriers serving the Baltic Sea, Russian Railways says in its release.
The documents were signed on 24 May 2013 in the Finnish capital Helsinki by Mikhail Akulov, Managing Director of the Federal Passenger Company, Kaj Takolander, Head of Group Passenger Sales & Marketing and Customer Service at Finnlines Plc., and Johan Mikk, Sales Director for Russia at Tallink Silja.
The cooperation agreement covers the organisation and development of joint international passenger, baggage and cargo transportation.
The parties intend to create a package of services, including transporting passengers and their cars from Russia to Finland on Train Number 31/32 Leo Tolstoy Moscow - Helsinki, and then by sea to other European countries: Sweden, Poland, Germany, Latvia, Estonia. Passengers can simultaneously book and obtain a ticket for both the train and the ferry at ticket offices in Russia.
By purchasing a package of transportation services, including transport by rail and sea, passengers on train number 32/31 will be able to obtain a discount on transporting their car in a specialised wagon and book the ferry at a discount.
According to Mikhail Akulov, the new service will begin in July 2013.
"Today Russia is the fastest growing market for our company, and we see great potential to attract passengers in cooperation with the Federal Passenger Company," said Kaj Takolander.
According to Johan Mikka, expanding the sales network for ferry tickets to the ticket offices of the Federal Passenger Company is also an important service which should increase the attractiveness of travelling by ferry to passengers.
On 24 May 2013 in Helsinki, the Federal Passenger Company and the VR-Group (Finnish Railways) also signed an agreement to sell tickets in Russia for a vehicle transportation service on the territory of Finland.
"This expands the opportunities for our passengers who are travelling in north-west Europe and the countries of the Baltic region," said Mikhail Akulov.