Tatarstan President: "Preparation for Universiade considerably changed Tatarstan transport industry"

On January 28 at a summary session of Tatarstan Ministry of Transport and Roads Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that employees of the industry performed a large amount of work during World Summer Universiade thus contributing to modernization of the transport industry.

Russian Minister of Transport Maksim Sokolov, Deputy Presidential Envoy in Volga Federal District Galina Izotova took part in the event.

Tatarstan Minister of Transport and Roads Lenar Safin reported on priority tasks to be fulfilled. Speaking about public transport, he suggested creating a complex training system for drivers, and test drivers for knowledge of the Russian language and traffic regulations.

A certification centre is planned to be opened at Kazan technical school of overground and underground transport.

Lenar Safin informed that air passenger traffic increased by 24 per cent in 2013. New international routes from Kazan are currently being worked out.

Speaking about water transport, Lenar Safin offered coming back to interregional passenger river transportations.

Construction of transfer hubs is one of priority projects in railway transport development.

Russian Minister of Transport Maksim Sokolov said that 2013 was an important year for Tatarstan transport industry due to Universiade.

Speaking about new projects, he mentioned construction of high-speed railway line.

Russian Minister of Transport also noted rapid development of air transport services in the republic and in Russia. The Minister believes that a federal programme aimed at supporting regional aviation will give impetus to increase of passenger flow.

Summing up, Rustam Minnikhanov noted a great impact of Universiade on development of Tatarstan transport industry.

Among priority tasks Rustam Minnikhanov pointed out construction of transport corridor “Europe-Western China” and high-speed railway line.