unlike the first-batch EVS2 sets. Operations Since entering service in December 2009, it has been Russian Railways' only profitable passenger service, with an occupancy rate of 84.5%. According to the timetable valid from 30 October 2011, the direct train from Moscow to St Petersburg without intermediate stops needs 3 hours 40 minutes, the train from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod 3 hours 55 minutes. Introduction of Sapsan initially provoked cancelling of affordable daytime trains between Moscow and St Petersburg. Since the end of 2012, Moscow – St Petersburg daytime trains other than Sapsan were running again. There were a series of stone throwing attacks against Sapsan trains. Possible reasons including cancelling of commuter trains, disruption of local transportation in rural areas, and accidents because of poor safety for pedestrians have been suggested. New bridge crossings were built, platforms along the railway were reconstructed and additional track was completed in 2015. New Lastochka commuter trains were introduced on the Moscow – Tver and St Petersburg – Bologoye routes. Local trains in the rural areas were saved. Route Moscow – Saint Petersburg route The first and the only (since 2015) route for Sapsan trains. Moscow (Leningradsky railway terminal) – Tver (756A, 762A, 770A, 778A, 780A) – Vyshny Volochyok (758A, 768A, 776A) – Bologoye (756A, 762A, 770A, 778A, 780A, 784A) – Uglovka (758A, 760A, 768A, 778A) – Okulovka (758A, 760A, 768A, 778A) – Chudovo (756A, 758A, 768A, 776A, 780A, 784A, 786A) – Saint Petersburg (Moskovsky railway terminal) There are no Sapsan trains stopping at all stations on the route. The fastest ones do not stop between Moscow and Saint Petersburg at all. Numbers of the trains which stop at intermediate stations are listed above. Such measures were implemented to increase speed. Moscow – Nizhny Novgorod route Former route of Sapsan trains. Since 2015, new Talgo Strizh train was introduced. All the Sapsans were directed to Moscow – St Petersburg route. Talgo trains are also high speed but more suitable for this route. Saint Petersburg – Nizhny Novgorod route On 1 March 2018, Russian Railways reopened the discontinued Saint Petersburg – Moscow – Nizhny Novgorod route which allows passengers to take an 8 hour 11 minute journey without a train change in Moscow. Tickets On 1 July 2012, the Russian Railways company introduced a new tariff system for Sapsan trains which dynamically prices tickets based on two factors: The date of sale of the ticket,