Elektrichka

Elektrichkas are widespread in Russia, Ukraine and other countries of the former Warsaw Pact presenting a socially vital mode of transportation.

[2] Also urban (intra-city) gorodskaya elektrichkas and airport's aeroexpresses exist in a few cities of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.

The popular Internet search engine Yandex officially uses Russian "elektrichka" in its branded online schedule services.

[3][4] Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the term "Elektrichka" is not in use with non-Russian speaking population in some countries where native Slavic language speakers are not in the majority.

[citation needed] All elektrichkas are overhead line-fed electrical multiple unit (EMU) trains, usually consisting of 4 to 14 cars with a driver's cab at both ends.

With the dissolution of the Soviet Union some successor nations started production of new elektrichka models with limited success.

However, such trains are less widespread since the majority of track on Soviet railroads has been electrified and (/or, if already electrified earlier) adapted (new platforms have been built) for elektrichka's, electricity in the region is cheap, and electric multiple-unit operation is far more effective for suburban traffic because of faster acceleration than diesel-hauled services.

The difference deepens as diesel locomotive-hauled commuter trains are being gradually replaced by more efficient railcars (relsovyi avtobus (Russian: рельсовый автобус, "railbuses") capable of moving far fewer passengers.

[6] Ukraine, possessing a dense network of electrified railways, is supporting and developing its elektrychka system, officially known as elektropoyizd in Ukrainian.

As of May 2010, there is no region of the country not covered by elektrychka service except the Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi oblasts (which do not have electrified railways and use diesel trains).

Ukrainian railways is capable of producing its own elektrychkas, but such efforts are limited by the unprofitability[citation needed] of the service.

Upon regaining independence, the Latvian government removed the Soviet seals that appeared on many of the older green trains.

It extends from the Tallinn's central station Balti jaam in two main directions, eastward and westward, the total length of the lines being 132 kilometres (82 mi).

The technology needed for the establishment of the electrical line was bought from German and Swedish companies (MAN, Siemens-Schuckert, ASEA).

[8] Elektrichkas are an important means of transport in post-Soviet countries, providing a cheap and easily accessible connection between city and countryside.

The trains are also a popular means of suburban and commuter transport for the region's large cities such as Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Kyiv, being unaffected by traffic jams.

In addition, the period from 1 to 5:30 am (time varies, depending on area and schedule) may be used for track maintenance or to allow high-speed trains to pass through without being slowed by elektrichkas (which stop at many stations, every 1–2 km or so).

Fake ticket agents have been known to steal money from passengers, and large luggage and pets are sometimes carried unpaid.

Poor people often use the elektrichkas for long-distance travel, because they are easy to ride without tickets and connect large and small stations.

For example, it is possible to get from Moscow to Saint Petersburg for free via five elektrichkas, with stops at Tver, Bologoe, Okulovka and Malaya Vishera.

This method of travel is called yezda na sobakakh (Russian: езда на собаках) or "dog-riding".

[citation needed] As of 2008,[update] there are new trains (generally on popular routes from Moscow and St. Petersburg) which are comfortable; some are operated by private companies and are safe, clean and well-maintained.

In remote regions of Russia with no electrified railroads, elektrichkas and dizels are sometimes replaced by short trains of one or two passenger cars and one or two flatcars hauled by diesel locomotives, due to the harsh climate which does not allow the use of modern rolling stock.

Poslednyaya elektrichka (Russian: Последняя электричка, "The Last Elektrichka"), a twist song with music by David Tukhmanov and lyrics by M. Nozhkin, was popular in the Soviet Union; versions included those by Vladimir Makarov, Eduard Hil, Muslim Magomayev and Vadim Mulerman.