FAS: there are no obstacles to sell railway tickets for reserved seats and sitting carriages

Due to information in mass media that “Federal Passenger Company” OJSC suspended selling tickets for railway passenger carriages for reserved seats and sitting carriages in long-distance trains, FAS would like to report the following: Under No. 473 Order of the Ministry of Transport of 19 December 2013, tickets for long-distance trains should be on sale no later than 45 days prior to departure. If sales of cheap tickets does not resume be that time, FAS may open a case upon elements of breaching Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”.

The Law prohibits actions by entities with dominant position that infringe the consumer interests, particular, withdrawing goods from circulation, economically or technologically unreasonable reduction of termination goods production, economically or technologically unreasonable refusal to enter into a contract. Part 1 Article 10 specifies the punishment: turnover fine and disqualification of the Head of the entity that violates the law.

FAS emphasizes that there are no obstacles to sell railway tickets for reserved seats and sitting carriages. The legislative framework is available. In the absence of decisions on 2018 tariff indexation, carriers should be guided by valid orders: No. 1835/16 FAS Order of 23 December 2016 and No. 156-t/1 order of the Federal Tariff Service of 27 July 2010.

FAS states that the decision on 2018 tariff indexation level is postponed upon the initiative of the Ministry of Transport. The issue will be considered by the Government. According to FAS information, the meeting is scheduled on 10.11.2017.