NEW ORGANIZATION OF PASSENGER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MOSCOW AND ST.-PETERSBURG AND ITS IMPACT ON THEIR TRANSPORT ACCESSIBILITY

Abstract

Transformation of passenger transportation by different transport means which took place inRussiaduring the 2000-ies was the most pronounced for the communication betweenMoscowand St.Petersburg. Therefore this could be regarded as a first stage of more profound changes in the territorial organization of passenger transportation inRussia. The analysis of transformation of the transport accessibility forMoscow— St.-Petersburg direction allows identification of new forms of communication, i.e. low-cost air transportation and high-speed railway service, as well as the changes in passenger traffic. The latter are due to both people needs under the expanding economic exchange between the “capitals” and the increasing commuter flows and the growing offer of transportation services whipping up the demand. Causes of the transformation and the first results in terms of the transport accessibility of the territory under study are discussed. The core of the study is the transport accessibility represented in both time and money aspects.