In a move that tightens the rules governing rail travel, the president of Russia has signed legislation that raises penalties for violations of conduct on rail transport. The measure was published on the official portal of legal information, signaling a clear shift toward stricter enforcement of safety and order aboard trains and in adjacent railway facilities. The new law targets a range of disruptive actions that undermine passenger safety and disrupt rail service, including attempts to board or alight from a moving or stationary train in places not designated for boarding, traversing stairs or rooftops of rail cars, and actions that abruptly halt the train without authorization. The intention behind these provisions is to deter dangerous behavior and ensure safer, more orderly travel for all passengers and staff. Instead of the former regime, where penalties were capped at a modest level, the updated text introduces fines that more closely reflect the seriousness of such violations and align with contemporary enforcement practices across transport networks. The publication confirms that the state seeks to reinforce compliance with established safety protocols and to establish a clear legal framework for addressing violations that could jeopardize passenger welfare or disrupt reliable railway operations.
The revised scale of penalties sets fines at 2,000 to 4,000 rubles for the described offenses, replacing the long-standing limit that remained unchanged for two decades. This adjustment acknowledges the evolving risk environment on rail systems and the need for a proportionate response to actions that endanger passengers or hinder service. While the structure of the offense remains consistent with prior legal definitions, the updated amount places the penalties within a range that authorities consider more aligned with current economic conditions and the potential impact of each violation. The change is designed to create a stronger deterrent, encouraging travelers to adhere to safety rules and train staff to enforce them more effectively while maintaining a fair and predictable system of penalties. The decision to increase fines also reflects a broader policy aim to protect rail infrastructure from reckless behavior and to support uninterrupted, safe operations across the network.
Initial discussions about raising the penalty levels were led by senior figures in the legislative branch, including a deputy speaker of the State Duma and the chairman of the Security and Anti-Corruption Committee, along with other lawmakers from the ruling party. Their early conversations underscored a shared concern about recurrent violations and the need to provide rail authorities with a clearer legal tool to address offenses that threaten safety. The progression from proposal to formal enactment illustrates a deliberate effort to respond to safety challenges on the nation’s rail system while maintaining a balance between accountability and proportionality in punishment. The final text embodies this balance by establishing a defined penalty range and clarifying the types of conduct that trigger fines, thereby offering both passengers and operators a more predictable regulatory environment and a stronger incentive to comply with railway safety norms.