Russian Railways to see peak passenger loads on New Year's eve.

MOSCOW, December 30 (Itar-Tass) - Russia's national railway company
RZD expects a traditional leap in the numbers of passengers who are going
to get on the move in the run-up to the ten-day-long New Year vacation.

"Compared with regular weekdays, a record big number of passengers is
going to board trains today - more than 500,000," a spokesman for the RZD
told Itar-Tass.
As usual, Moscow City's eight railway terminals that service
long-distance trains will shoulder the country's biggest passenger flows.
"Moscow will be the starting point of trips for more than 180,000
passengers," the spokesman said.
All the trains operated by the RZD have festive New Year decorations,
and dining cars will be offering special New Year menus, although the
executives responsible for public catering refrain from disclosing the
specialties to be aboard long-distance trains this time.
All in all, the RZD says about 6.85 million passengers have already
made reservations or are going to do this in the period of December 25
through January 10, and more than 1.8 million of that number will use the
services of Moscow railway terminals.
To enable this army of customers to get to the places of destination
on time, the RZD has introduced 350 additional trains between cities in
Russia, as well as between Russian cities and destinations in neighboring
countries of the CIS.
Despite the pre-New Year rush to get families, friends or holiday
centers on time, over 50,000 passengers will meet the New Year en route.
"We're doing everything in our power to enable these people feel
comfortable on New Year's night and to enjoy a festive atmosphere on the
trains," the spokesman said, adding that all the passengers will be
offered traditional sparkling wine and coach attendants will present
entertainment programs to them.
The add more rewards to these trips, the RZD offers substantial
discounts on fares for the passengers who are going to board overnight
trains December 31.
Still, some popular joys of New Year fun-making will remain out of
reach for passengers even on this special occasion.
For instance, firefighting precautions forbid the use of sparklers
inside the trains, as sensitive fire alarm systems will immediately get
into action.
Another prohibition concerns Christmas crackers and pop-guns, even the
safest ones.
-0-kle