Russia's Antimonopoly Service Clarifies Train Ticket Pricing

On April 3, 2025, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) of Russia announced it would not interfere with the pricing of train tickets in sleeping cars and compartments, allowing carriers to set these tariffs independently. Gennady Magazinov, the Deputy Head of the FAS, clarified that there is currently no regulation of prices in these categories, stating, "There is no talk of regulating prices in sleeping cars and compartments at the moment; they are set independently by the carrier." This decision reflects the agency's stance on maintaining a competitive environment in the rail transport sector.

Magazinov emphasized that the FAS is focused on ensuring passengers have options when choosing between luxury accommodations and reserved seating on various routes. He acknowledged that the agency receives periodic complaints regarding the scarcity of tickets in reserved carriages, particularly when more expensive categories have availability. However, he explained that the quicker sale of reserved tickets is simply due to higher demand, saying, "Reserved tickets are bought up faster." In response to this demand, both the government and Russian Railways are working to increase the number of trains, especially on popular routes.

The pricing system for railway tickets is influenced by demand and the timing of purchases, which has both advantages and disadvantages. Magazinov stated that the FAS's primary objective is to enhance transparency in this pricing mechanism, making it easier for passengers to understand how prices are established. He noted that tickets in compartments and sleeping cars are already sold at dynamic tariffs, although there is no set limit on prices. This flexibility allows carriers to adjust prices based on market conditions.

Furthermore, the revenues generated by the carriers enable them to invest in the modernization and renewal of train cars, which is expected to improve passenger comfort in the long run. As a point of reference, Magazinov highlighted that tariffs for railway tickets were indexed by 11.6% starting in 2025, the maximum allowable increase. However, he also pointed out that carriers have the discretion to offer discounts, which they frequently do.

In addition to the pricing updates, the Russian government has implemented a regulation offering a 50% year-round discount for children aged 10 to 18 on tickets for reserved and general carriages of long-distance trains. This initiative aims to make train travel more accessible for families.

In a related note, the FAS also revealed plans for a draft decree that would allow carriers to charge a fee of up to 10% of the ticket price for refunds. This fee would be set by the carriers themselves, ranging from 0% to 10%, providing them with the flexibility to manage refunds more effectively. The FAS believes this approach will help make railway tickets more accessible while reducing the risks associated with ticket returns by intermediaries.

Currently, the established fee for processing ticket returns is 3 rubles and 20 kopecks per seat, as stated on the Russian Railways website. The new proposal is expected to be part of a broader strategy to enhance the ticketing process and improve customer experience.

In another development, the cultural sector is also active, with T2, a Russian mobile operator, announcing an open call for participants ahead of the fifth season of the Art Space&Co project. This initiative, located in the cultural cluster at Elagin Park, aims to bring together representatives from urban communities and offer collaboration opportunities across various fields, including art, business, technology, self-development, and healthy lifestyles. Interested parties can submit their applications until April 20, 2025.

Overall, the FAS's recent announcements reflect a commitment to maintaining a competitive and transparent railway system in Russia, while also addressing passenger needs and enhancing the overall travel experience.