Auto-Purchase Service Helps Travelers Secure Train Tickets in Russia
The Avtospisaniya service automatically searches for tickets and completes purchases without passenger involvement.
Digital services are reshaping the architecture of the transportation industry—from payment methods to how passengers interact with carriers. One such solution is Avtospisaniya (Auto-Purchase), a service developed by VTB and Russian Railways (RZD). The tool was launched in July 2025.
During its first six months of operation, passengers used the service to purchase more than 178,500 train tickets on routes where seats had previously been unavailable through standard sales channels. The system automatically searches for tickets based on parameters specified in a passenger’s request and completes the purchase without their direct participation. As a result, passengers no longer need to monitor ticket availability themselves. The service operates around the clock and can add up to four people—such as an entire family—to the waiting list. The tool is especially useful on high-demand routes where tickets are limited and decisions must be made quickly.
Handles Purchases, Exchanges, and Refunds
In 2025, passengers carried out more than 200 million ticket-related transactions, including purchases, exchanges, and refunds.
The waiting list service List ozhidaniya (Waiting List) was introduced in 2024. More than 7.5 million passengers have used it so far, purchasing about 1.7 million tickets. Of those, 178,500 were automatically completed through the Avtospisaniya service.
Earlier reports noted that more than 10 million tons of petroleum products were shipped through a digital service operated by Russian Railways.
