{{moreMultiple citations neededissues|{{Update|date=MarchSeptember 20132020}}

'''Elektrichka''' ({{lang-ru|электри́чка|p=əlʲɪˈktrʲitɕkə}}; {{lang-uk|електри́чка, |'''elektrychka'''}}) is a [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] and [[Eastern Bloc|Eastern bloc]] commuter (regional) mostly [[suburban]] [[electrical multiple unit]] passenger [[train]]. Elektrichkas are widespread in [[Russia]], [[Ukraine]] and other countries of the former [[Warsaw Pact]] presenting a socially vital mode of transportation. In 2007, 4085 commuter trains a day (in each direction) were running on the [[Russian Railways]] network alone,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.zdt-magazine.ru/publik/problem/2008/jun08/vod.htm| script-title=ru:Генеральная схема развития московского железнодорожного узла| trans-title=The master plan for the development of the Moscow railway hub| language=Russianru| access-date=2009-01-25| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222022510/http://www.zdt-magazine.ru/publik/problem/2008/jun08/vod.htm| archive-date=2009-02-22| url-status=dead}}</ref> most of them electric. The first ''elektrichka'' rantrain on July 6, 1926, along the [[Baku]]–[[Sabunçu, Baku|Sabunchi]] line in Soviet [[Azerbaijan]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.zdp.ru/pub/8/2180_1.shtml| title=78 Years Ago the First Elektrichka Came Along| author=Yelena Leontieva| work=Zdp.ru| date=6 July 2005| accessdateaccess-date=25 August 2007| url-status=dead| archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929093939/http://www.zdp.ru/pub/8/2180_1.shtml| archivedatearchive-date=29 September 2007}}</ref> Also urban (intra-city) ''gorodskaya elektrichkas'' and airport's ''[[aeroexpress]]es'' exist in a few cities of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.

"Elektrichka" was initially a colloquial abbreviation for ''elektropoyezd'' ({{lang-ru|электропо́езд}}, electric train), the official term for electrical multiple unit passenger train in respective languages. However, it is gradually becoming a part of the official [[trademark]] names. For instance, the new [[KievKyiv Urban Electric Train|intra-city train service in KievKyiv]] is officially called "elektrychka" in [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]]. The popular Internet search engine [[Yandex]] officially uses Russian "elektrichka" in its branded online [[Public transport timetable|schedule]] services.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://rasp.yandex.ua/ |script-title=ru:Киев. Расписание самолётов, поездов и электричек |language=ru |publisher=Rasp.yandex.ua |access-date= |accessdate=2012-09-20 |archive-date=2017-10-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023050927/https://rasp.yandex.ua/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://market.android.com/details?id=ru.yandex.rasp |title=Yandex.Trains - Android-apps op Google Play |publisher=Market.android.com |access-date= |accessdate=2012-09-20}}</ref>

PleaseSince notethe thatcollapse sinceof the collapseSoviet of communismUnion, the term "Elektrichka" is not in use with non-Russian speaking population in some countries where native Slavic language speakers are not in the majority.{{Citation Inneeded|date=November [[Estonia]], guidelines (and blogs) have appeared in [[Estonian language]] how to travel in Russia and survive in Russian speaking world with list of useful words and phrases <ref>https://www.accelerista.com/matkamajareisima/rongiga-venemaal-abc/</ref>2022}}

All elektrichkas are [[overhead line]]-fed [[electrical multiple unit]] (EMU) trains, usually consisting of 4 to 14 cars with a driver's cab at both ends. A 10-car train has a capacity of 1,200 passengers.{{citation needed|date=February 2012}} The Soviet trains were manufactured at the [[Rīgas Vagonbūves Rūpnīca|Riga Wagon Plant]] in the [[Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic]], and bore the "ER" ({{lang|ru-Latn|elektropoezd rizhskiy}}; [[Cyrillic]]: {{lang|ru|ЭР}}, {{lang|ru|электропоезд рижский}}) model designation.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Владимирович |first=Плешанов-Остоя, Алексей |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=670kDAAAQBAJ&dq=%D1%8D%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%BA%D0%B0+%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B6%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9+%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9+%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B4&pg=PT16 |title=Как жилось в СССР |date=2016-11-22 |publisher=Aegitas |isbn=978-1-77313-021-7 |language=ru}}</ref> The plant was the only manufacturer from the 1950s until the break-up of the Soviet Union. The most widespread elektrichka models are the ER-2 ({{lang-ru|ЭР-2|links=no}}) and ER-9 ({{lang-ru|ЭР-9|links=no}}) (using [[Direct current|DC]] and [[Alternating current|AC]] traction respectively); later models in use are mostly their variants and successors.

ER-2 and ER-9 trains contain an even number of cars; of each adjacent pair, one is equipped with [[traction motor|motors]] and the other carries pneumatic equipment. Cars with cabs carry pneumatic equipment, and motor cars are easily recognizable because of [[pantograph (rail)|pantograph]]s on their roofs. Not every car is equipped with [[toilet]]stoilets; on some trains there are as few as two per train, near the driver's cab. Each car has four automatic doors, two on each side. When the train stops, doors on the platform side open simultaneously. Doors may be equipped with stairs, to allow for low station platforms. The doors are narrower than in [[rapid transit|metro]] trains. An elektrichka is bare-bones transportation with simple benches (each seating three) next to the windows.

With the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]] some successor nations started production of new elektrichka models with limited success. Due to underfunding during the 1990s, railways continue to use Soviet-built trains, preferring renovation over replacement. Consequently, most elektrichkas in use are similar in appearance, differing only in [[livery]]; the Soviet-era standard was dark green, with red stripes on the front and a yellow stripe on the side of the train. Some newer models have wider doors or other electric engines, for example [[ED4 (Electric trainset)|ED4]] and {{ill|EP2D|ru|ЭП2Д}} series, cars are 1.5 windows longer and have wider doors, or ET4A with asynchronous motors.

The ''dizelnyi poezd'' ({{lang-ru|ди́зельный по́езд|links=no}}, "diesel train"; colloquially, ''dizel'' {{lang-ru|ди́зель|links=no}} or ''motovoz'', {{lang-ru|мотово́з|links=no}}) is a Soviet-type [[commuter train]] operationally similar to ''elektrichka''. It is a [[diesel multiple unit]] train of up to six cars. A lot of routes have been served by "classic" trains of a single [[Passenger car (rail)|passenger car]] or several passenger cars hauled by a mainline [[diesel locomotive|diesel]], mainline [[electric locomotive|electric]] or even shunting diesel locomotive. However, such trains are less widespread since the majority of track on Soviet railroads has been [[Railway electrification system|electrified]] and (/or, if already electrified earlier) adapted (new platforms have been built) for ''elektrichka'''s, electricity in the region is cheap, and electric multiple-unit operation is far more effective for suburban traffic because of faster acceleration than diesel-hauled services. ElectrichkasNon-elektrichkas also have significantly less socioeconomic importance because of the much lower average speed. The difference deepens as diesel locomotive-hauled commuter trains are being gradually replaced by more efficient [[railcar]]s (''relsovyi avtobus'' ({{lang-ru|ре́льсовый авто́бус|links=no}}, "railbuses") capable of moving far fewer passengers.

[[File:З. п. Північна, ст. Київ-Товарний.jpg|thumb|Elektrichkas on suburban platforms in [[KievKyiv]].]]

The elektrichka's crew consists of a driver and an assistant driver. Since distances between [[railway station|stations]] are usually long, elektrichkas also stop at specially built stops known as "platforms" ({{lang-ru|платфо́рма|links=no}}). Sometimes these stops consist of nothing more than a simple platform, shorter than the length of the train and located in isolated areas. Some platforms lack permanent personnel or lighting. In some areas, elektrichkas stop at seasonal stops without a structure (in forest areas these are colloquially known as "mushroom stops", because they are extensively used by [[mushroom hunting|mushroom gatherers]]).

Elektrichkas are maintained in special depots ({{lang-ru|моторваго́нное депо|links=no}}, ''motorvagonnoye depo'', {{lang-uauk|моторваго́нне депо́}}, ''motorvahonne depo''), where trains are repaired and train crews employed. However, neither elektrichkas nor their crews return to a depot every day; instead, they are assigned to the end stations of the routes.

Elektrichkas for [[Russian Railways]] are manufactured in Demikhovo, [[Moscow Oblast]], [[Torzhok]], Tver Oblast and [[Verkhnyaya Pyshma]], Sverdlovsk Oblast. The trains link almost all cities which have a railroad with its outskirts and with its surrounding cities. Much of the countryside which they pass through is scenic. The elektrichka is an indispensable mode of transportation in Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bellybuttonwindow.com/1998/russia/ever_take_an_elektri.html |title=William Brumfield, As Moscow's Elektrichka, Goes, So Goes Russia|author=''[[Moscow Times]]''|author-link=Moscow Times|date=April 29, 1998|accessdateaccess-date=2011-09-27}}</ref>

[[Ukraine]], possessing a dense network of [[Railway electrification system|electrified railways]], is supporting and developing its [[elektrychka]] system, officially known as [[:uk:Електропоїзд|elektropoyizd]] in Ukrainian. As of May 2010, there is no region of the country not covered by ''elektrychka'' service except the [[Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast|Ivano-Frankivsk]] and [[Chernivtsi Oblast|Chernivtsi]] regionsoblasts (which do not have electrified railways and use diesel trains). A typical ''elektrychka'' route is around {{convert|100|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} in length and has stops every {{convert|5|–|10|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} (about 3½ hours' travel time each way). It is possible to travel across the country by changing ''elektrichka'' trains two or three times. Tickets can be inexpensive, although such travel is uncomfortable.<ref>[http://en.ukrlandia.com.ua/elektrichka/ Trains in Ukraine, Elektrichka] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325192256/http://en.ukrlandia.com.ua/elektrichka/ |date=2016-03-25 }} Retrieved 2011-09-27.</ref> Most trains collect money in the absence of a ticket.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} It is possible to travel for free illegally when, at a stop, one exits the car where fares are being collected and goes to one where fares have already been collected, bypassing the collector.

Many Ukrainian ''elektrichkas'' are evolving into inter-city services. There are new direct lines such as the [[Kiev|Kyiv]]-[[Rivne]] route, which is about {{convert|300|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} long. This rail service is a cross between an ''elektrychka'' and a traditional train with [[sleeping car]]s. Such new trains have an increased level of comfort, with fewer stops. The longest routes for these more-comfortable ''elektrychkas'' are [[ZaporizhiaZaporizhzhia]]–[[Kharkiv]], [[Dnipro]]–[[Simferopol]], [[Odessa|Odesa]]–[[Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine|Khmelnytskyi]], [[Odesa]]–Odesa–[[Vinnytsia]], [[Odesa]]–Odesa–[[Kropyvnytskyi]], [[Kiev|Kyiv]]–Kyiv–[[Lutsk]], [[Kiev|Kyiv]]–[[Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine|Khmelnytskyi]]Kyiv–Khmelnytskyi and [[Kiev|Kyiv]]–Kyiv–[[Shostka]], [[Lviv]]–[[Rivne]] and [[Lviv]]–Lviv–[[Mukachevo]].

[[Ukrzaliznytsia|Ukrainian railways]] is capable of producing its own ''elektrychkas'', but such efforts are limited by the unprofitability{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}} of the service. The only success has been a modernization of [[Riga]] trains undertaken by local companies. However, the ''elektrychka'' line in [[Debaltseve]] area is reported to be served by Ukrainian-made trains.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} Ukrainian ''elektrychkas'' are now produced in [[Luhansk]], at the [[Luhanskteplovoz]] plant. New ''elektrychkas'' feature premium services like bar and children's cars, but they are only available on major routes. The largest ''elektrychka'' depot in Ukraine, serving [[Kiev|Kyiv]] and the surrounding [[oblast]]s, is situated in [[Fastiv]].

In [[Kiev]]Kyiv, since 2011, conventional elektrychka trains serve the new municipal rail service, the [[KievKyiv Urban Electric Train]]. Financially, the project significantly differs from traditional ''elektrychkas'' .

{{see also|LatvianPasažieru RailwaysVilciens}}

The main electric railway in [[Latvia]] is centered in the capital city of [[Riga]]. The first electrified trains connected Riga with the Dubulti station in the seaside resort of [[Jūrmala]] in 1950. By 1970, electrification extended westward towards [[Tukums]]. Used largely by commuters, the railway also has branches extending to [[Jelgava]], Skulte and Aizkraukle. Parts of Latvia outside the Riga region are served by diesel trains. Upon regaining independence, the Latvian government removed the Soviet seals that appeared on many of the older green trains.

Because plans for a [[Riga Metro|subway for Riga]] fell through in the 1980s, the railway remains the fastest way to travel around the city and its vicinity.{{according to whom|date=September 2016}} TheIn [[Rīgas2022, Vagonbūvesall Rūpnīca|RigaLatvian Wagonelectric Plant]]railway isroutes reconstructingoperate thesevarious trains,variants andof is[[ER2 planningelectric to manufacture newtrainset|ER2]] trains, whichhowever wouldthey're replaceexpected theto ''elektrichkas''be byphased 2012, whichout by now has been pushed back, to unknown date2024.

The first electrified line in Estonia was opened in 1924, connecting Tallinn with what was, back then, a town, [[Nõmme]] going as far as [[Pääsküla]]. Construction started in 1923 when government provided 34 million [[Estonian mark|Estonian marks]]s. The technology needed for the establishment of the electrical line was bought from German and Swedish companies (MAN, Siemens-Schuckert, ASEA).

Before the [[Occupation of the Baltic states|Soviet occupation]] began in 1940, electrical railways carried annually 6 million passengers and the rolling stock did comprise in total 20 passenger wagons: four electric railcars (M1-M4) and 16 railcar trailers. M1-M4s were "evacuated" to Soviet Union during the first week of [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]] in 1941.

Since 2013, [[Stadler FLIRT]] trains are being used on Estonian electrical railways.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://elron.ee/en/elron/ajalugu/ |title=History {{!}} Elron |website=elron.ee |access-date=2020-04-02 |archive-date=2017-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501042100/http://elron.ee/en/elron/ajalugu/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[Image:RZD ED4M-0103 Moskva-Yaroslavskaya.jpg|thumb|Old ED4M ''elektrichka'' at Moskva-Passazhirskaya Yaroslavskaya station, Moscow|alt=Blue-and-gray passenger train at outdoor station]]

''Elektrichkas'' are an important means of transport in [[Post-Soviet states|post-Soviet countries]], providing a cheap and easily accessible connection between city and countryside. The railway network is well-developed, while [[bus]] service to towns and villages may be rare or unreliable. Automobile and [[truck]] ownership in rural areas is rare, and elektrichkas are relatively reliable and safe. They are useful for ''[[Dacha|dachnik]]s'' and peasants selling their [[harvest]] at city markets. Some areas also have roads in poor condition, so railroads have an advantage in speed and comfort.

The trains are also a popular means of [[suburban]] and commuter transport for the region's large cities such as [[Moscow]], [[Saint Petersburg]] and [[Kiev]]Kyiv, being unaffected by [[traffic jam]]s. However, traffic congestion in these areas leads to frequent delays or cancellation of trains. For this reason, passengers in these areas who can afford them often{{Citation needed|date=March 2010}} prefer buses or [[marshrutka]]s to elektrichkas. In addition, the period from 1 to 5:30 am (time varies, depending on area and schedule) may be used for track maintenance or to allow high-speed trains to pass through without being slowed by elektrichkas (which stop at many stations, every 1–2&nbsp;km or so).

The governments and railway companies of these countries support ''elektrichka'' service. Although [[Ticket (admission)|ticket]] prices are being raised, operational costs are subsidized. Even with this subsidy, many passengers bribe ticket agents to avoid paying full fare. Fake ticket agents have been known to steal money from passengers, and large [[luggage]] and [[pet]]spets are sometimes carried unpaid. Some ''elektrichka'' stops with low ridership lack ticket offices. Although a ticketless rider (if caught) must pay full fare, since he had no opportunity to get a ticket, sinceas there was no ticket office at his real or purported boarding station;, no fine may be imposed on them if they say they boarded the train at a stop without a ticket office. Since the list of stops with no ticket office is well-known, this is sometimes used for [[fare evasion]].

Poor people often use the ''elektrichkas'' for long-distance travel, because they are easy to ride without tickets and connect large and small stations. For example, it is possible to get from Moscow to Saint Petersburg for free via five elektrichkas, with stops at Tver, Bologoe, Okulovka and Malaya Vishera. This method of travel is called {{lang|ru-Latn|yezda na sobakakh}} ({{lang-ru|езда на собаках|links=no}}) or "dog-riding". This mode of travel is sometimes used by football fans. ''Elektrichkas'' have a high rate of on-board [[crime]].{{cncitation needed |date=August 2019}} {{As of|2008|post=,}} there are new trains (generally on popular routes from Moscow and St. Petersburg) which are comfortable; some are operated by private companies and are safe, clean and well-maintained. These ''elektrichkas'' are usually high-speed and have few stops; tickets are more expensive, and such ''elektrichkas'' serve as true inter-city trains; cheaper trains often connect cities and their suburbs only.

In remote regions of Russia with no electrified railroads, ''elektrichkas'' and ''dizels'' are sometimes replaced by short trains of one or two passenger cars and one or two [[flatcar]]s hauled by diesel locomotives, due to the harsh climate which does not allow the use of modern rolling stock. These are known as {{lang|ru-Latn|bichevoz}} ({{lang-ru|бичевоз|links=no}}, "hobo train").{{Citation needed|date=June 2007}}

As a social [[symbol]] in the [[Post-Soviet states|former Soviet Union]], the ''elektrichka'' is the subject of art and literature. ''Poslednyaya elektrichka'' ({{lang-ru|После́дняя электри́чка|links=no}}, "The Last Elektrichka"), a [[Twist (dance)|twist]] song with music by [[David Tukhmanov]] and lyrics by [[Mikhail Nozhkin|M. Nozhkin]], was popular in the Soviet Union; versions included those by [[Vladimir Makarov]], [[Eduard Hil]], [[Muslim Magomayev (musician)|Muslim Magomayev]] and [[Vadim Mulerman]].

{{quoteblockquote|As always, you and I were together until late in the evening;

As always, this wasn't enough for us;<br />

As always, your mother called you home. <br />

So I headed for the train station.<br />

Once again<br />

The last elektrichka ran away from me<br />

And I was <br />

walking down the tracks,<br />

The rock band [[Kino (band)|Kino]] used the gloomy image of a morning ''elektrichka'' to depict society's atmosphere of fear and apathy.{{Citation needed|date=March 2007}} A song with the same title was released on their first album, "[[45 (Kino album)|45]]".

{{quoteblockquote|In the vestibule, it's chilly but at the same time warm

In the vestibule, the air is full of cigarette smoke, but at the same time it's fresh<br />

Scenes in some popular [[Soviet [[Film|moviemovies]]s take place aboard ''elektrichkas''; for example, the female protagonist of ''[[Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears]]'' meets her love interest on an ''elektrichka'' on her way home to Moscow from a ''[[dacha]]''. [[Venedikt Erofeev]]'s novel ''[[Moskva-Petushki]]'' is based around ''elektrichka'' travel.<ref>''[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17095227 Moscow Commuters And The Meaning Of Life]''</ref>

**[[Paveletsky Rail Terminal]], [[Moscow]]

**[[Rizhsky Rail Terminal]], [[Moscow]]

**[[Varshavsky Rail Terminal]], [[St.Petersburg]]

*[[S-Bahn]] , the German speaking term for a similar system

[[Category:Culture of the Soviet cultureUnion]]