Russia proposes RUB 5.64 trillion for its three-year transport programme

Russia’s Transport Ministry proposed RUB 5.641 trillion for the state programme for transport-system development in 2027 and the 2028–29 planning period. It presented the figure at a State Duma budget committee meeting on 22 October.

The amount is a proposed programme allocation in the budget bill ahead of its first reading, not a final or already-spent budget. The ministry said it would assess comments from the Accounts Chamber on spending areas and determine any necessary changes afterward.

The programme runs through 2030 and comprises 36 elements involving 19 federal budget administrators under the ministry. Priorities named included transport safety, capacity of the core network, regional public transport and access to services.

The proposal assigns RUB 298 billion to aviation, including RUB 86 billion in flight subsidies. The ministry said the subsidies are intended to carry 4.4 million passengers a year at reduced fares.

Railways are allocated a proposed RUB 551 billion, while sea and inland-water transport would receive RUB 178 billion. The railway plan anticipates 210 million passengers travelling on subsidised fares; these are programme targets and proposed allocations.

The largest line is RUB 4.257 trillion for the Federal Road Fund over three years. The draft includes construction or reconstruction of 1,312 kilometres of roads and maintenance, repair or upkeep work on a further 61,000 kilometres; the Duma budget process remains underway.

The ministry’s breakdown shows that the proposal spans operating support and capital works. Aviation’s RUB 298 billion includes RUB 86 billion for fare subsidies, while the ministry links the overall aviation line to a network of 226 civil airfields and proposed construction or reconstruction at 53 airfields during the three-year period. The release does not provide a project-by-project list or specify how the 53 sites divide across years.

The proposed RUB 551 billion for rail is described chiefly as support for passenger transport. In addition to the target of 210 million subsidised-fare journeys, the ministry says the money would support suburban operators and the current operations of the Novorossiya Railways and Crimean Railways state enterprises. These are budget plans, not a confirmed final appropriation or a reported count of completed trips.

The water-transport allocation of RUB 178 billion would cover subsidies for routes to Crimea, Kaliningrad and Abkhazia, operation of inland waterways and infrastructure development. The ministry identifies 156 sea and river ports and 741 navigable hydraulic structures in its core network, with work planned at 16 key facilities. The announcement does not name those sites or break down the allocation among route subsidies, maintenance and construction.

Border facilities and regional transit are also included. The draft sets RUB 157 billion for border crossing points, of which 15 are scheduled for construction or reconstruction and 214 for non-capital works. A separate RUB 65 billion line for urban passenger transport is intended to support rolling-stock and infrastructure renewal in 48 regions, alongside preferential leasing through GTLK and concessional lending through VEB.RF.

Education is allocated RUB 20 billion, with the ministry saying this would fund 132 training simulators for universities and training for 11,000 students, as well as continued development of the Obraztsovo education complex. Across all lines, the proposal is part of a state programme through 2030 that includes 36 components and three national projects. The Accounts Chamber’s comments are still being assessed, so the ministry says changes may follow before the budget process is complete.