View source for Elron (rail transit)

{{Short description|Estonian passenger railway}}
{{Infobox company
| name = AS Eesti Liinirongid
| image_caption = Elron [[Stadler Flirt]] at [[Keila railway station|Keila station]]
| trading_name = Elron
| type = [[Government-owned corporation]]
| logo = Elron logo 2024.svg
| image = Stadler Flirt Keila jaamas1.jpg
| company_slogan = 
| foundation = 1998 (as Elektriraudtee)<br />October 2013 (as Elron)
| location_city = [[Tallinn]]
| location_country = [[Estonia]]
| industry = [[Rail transport]]
| products = [[Rail transport]]
| revenue = 
| net_income = 
| operating_income = 
| num_employees = 
| parent = 
| subsid = 
| homepage = {{url|www.elron.ee}}
| foot_notes = 
}}
{{AS Eesti Liinirongid}}
'''AS Eesti Liinirongid''', operating as '''Elron''', is a government-owned passenger train operator in [[Estonia]].

Prior to 2014, the company operated exclusively the electrified [[commuter rail]] system in [[Harjumaa]], and was known until October 2013 as ''Elektriraudtee'', i.e. "the Electrical Railway". On 1 January 2014, Elron took over all domestic passenger train services in Estonia from [[Edelaraudtee]].

==History==
The company was founded as ''Elektriraudtee'' in 1998. While initially operating as a subsidiary of [[Eesti Raudtee]], it was separated entirely within two years.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/metros/26976.article |title = Metros |publisher = Railway Gazette International |date = 1 April 2000}}</ref> 

In May 2013, the Estonian government declared that Elron would be the sole domestic passenger operator in Estonia, compelling the Estonian operator [[Edelaraudtee]] to reorientate its operations away from the passenger sector.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://news.postimees.ee/1238210/estonian-rail-operator-edelaraudtee-sends-train-to-kazakhstan-for-trials |title = Estonian rail operator Edelaraudtee sends train to Kazakhstan for trials |publisher = news.postimees.ee |date = 16 May 2013}}</ref> This change was not unchallenged; a legal dispute between Edelaraudtee and the Estonian government broke out over compensation for lost revenue from the operator's forced withdrawal from passenger services.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://news.err.ee/108056/edelaraudtee-demands-5-million-from-state |title = Edelaraudtee Demands €5 Million From State |publisher = news.err.ee |date = 23 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=126636 |title = Estonia's Edelaraudtee turns down EUR 2.1 mln compensation |publisher = baltic-course.com |date = 4 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://news.err.ee/655403/pending-supreme-court-ruling-state-might-have-to-pay-2-8m-to-edelaraudtee |title = Pending Supreme Court ruling, state might have to pay €2.8m to Edelaraudtee |publisher = news.err.ee |date = 21 January 2018}}</ref>

Throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s, Elron collaborated closely with Edelaraudtee to examine and implement various opportunities to increase the operating speeds of certain lines, thus enabling Elron's services to run faster in some places.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://baltics.news/2020/08/26/speed-%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8Btests-confirm-that-tallinn-viljandi-train-could-run-faster/ |title = Speed tests confirm that Tallinn-Viljandi train could run faster |publisher = baltics.news |date = 26 August 2020}}</ref> In May 2020, Eesti Raudtee announced a tender to design and provide to electrify the entire Estonian rail network.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://news.err.ee/1086856/eesti-raudtee-announces-tender-for-rail-network-electrification |title = Eesti Raudtee announces tender for rail network electrification |publisher = news.err.ee |date = 7 May 2020}}</ref> That same year, Elron openly spoke on its enthusiasm to electrify the cross-border line between Tallinn and [[St Petersburg]] via a prospective future joint project between Russia and Estonia if favourable terms could be agreed.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://news.err.ee/1215841/estonian-railways-wants-to-electrify-track-between-tallinn-st-petersburg |title = Estonian Railways wants to electrify track between Tallinn, St Petersburg |publisher = news.err.ee |date = 22 December 2020}}</ref>

During the 2020s, Elron has multiple plans to expand and improve its network. Options have been studied, including the requisitioning of former goods lines, while a proposed reorganization could reduce the travel times between [[Tallinn]] and [[Tartu]] to beneath two hours.<ref name = "expansion 2023"/><ref>{{cite web |url = https://news.err.ee/1147907/experts-tartu-tallinn-track-should-be-straightened-before-electrification |title = Experts: Tartu-Tallinn track should be straightened before electrification |publisher = news.err.ee |date = 16 October 2020}}</ref> The maximum service speed of Elron's trains is reportedly set to increase to 160 kilometers per hour.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://news.err.ee/1609056209/estonian-state-to-tighten-up-rail-crossing-safety-regulations |title = Estonian state to tighten up rail crossing safety regulations |publisher = news.err.ee |date = 8 August 2023}}</ref> By 2023, work was underway to reconnect the western Estonian town of [[Haapsalu]], which has not been reachable from the capital by rail since the 1990s, by 2027. A new terminal in Kristiine, west of Tallinn's city center, is also being planned, that shall be better interconnected with the rest of the city's public transport.<ref name = "expansion 2023">{{cite web |url = https://news.err.ee/1609033019/elron-weighing-up-rail-network-expansion-in-tallinn-and-beyond |title = Elron weighing up rail network expansion in Tallinn and beyond |publisher = news.err.ee |date = 13 July 2023}}</ref> 

In mid-2021, a new higher fare for passengers travelling with [[bicycle]]s was introduced.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://news.err.ee/1608290973/elron-s-cycle-tickets-a-costly-purchase-for-regular-passengers |title = Elron's cycle tickets a costly purchase for regular passengers |publisher = news.err.ee |date = 28 July 2021}}</ref> During January 2022, after two years without any price rises, Elron increased its regular fares by almost 9.5 percent, attributing this as a response to rising energy prices as well to finance infrastructure changes.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://news.err.ee/1608454169/elron-raises-train-fares-by-9-5-percent-from-january |title = Elron raises train fares by 9.5 percent from January |publisher = news.err.ee |date = 3 January 2022}}</ref> Two months later, the company announced that [[Ukraine|Ukrainian]] refugees would be able to travel on its trains for free.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.mkm.ee/en/news/ukrainian-war-refugees-can-travel-estonian-trains-and-city-and-county-buses-free-charge |title = Ukrainian war refugees can travel Estonian trains and city and county buses free of charge |publisher = Ministry of Economic Affairs |date = 13 March 2022}}</ref> In May 2022, it was announced that passenger numbers, which had sharply dipped in 2020 amid the [[COVID-19]] pandemic, had recovered.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://news.err.ee/1608598525/passenger-rail-traffic-recovering-to-pre-pandemic-levels |title = Passenger rail traffic recovering to pre-pandemic levels |publisher = news.err.ee |date = 16 May 2022}}</ref>

During late 2023, Elron ceased its Russian language announcements following complaints.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://news.err.ee/1608733822/elron-scraps-russian-language-announcements-at-tallinn-station |title = Elron scraps Russian language announcements at Tallinn station |publisher = news.err.ee |date = 29 September 2022}}</ref> In September 2023, Elron's ticketing system was temporarily disrupted by a [[Denial-of-service attack|distributed denial-of-service]] (DDoS) attacks thought to have been the work of pro-[[Russia]] hackers.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://news.err.ee/1609108433/ria-on-elron-cyberattack-it-is-likely-that-it-will-happen-again |title = RIA on Elron cyberattack: It is likely that it will happen again |publisher = news.err.ee |date = 21 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.geopolitical.report/elron-hit-by-a-cyberattack/ |title = Elron hit by a cyberattack |publisher = geopolitical.report |date = 20 September 2023}}</ref>

== Network ==
=== Inter-city rail ===
Elron operates inter-city trains from [[Tallinn]]'s [[Tallinn Baltic Station|Baltic Station]] on several lines: Tallinn–[[Tartu railway station|Tartu]]–[[Valga, Estonia|Valga]] (connecting to [[Pasažieru vilciens]] trains to [[Riga Central Station|Riga]]), Tallinn–Tartu–[[Koidula railway station|Koidula]], Tallinn–[[Narva]], and Tallinn–[[Viljandi]].

Services on the Tallinn–[[Pärnu]] route ended in December 2018. The line required substantial upgrading and it was not felt worthwhile spending the money required for this around 8 years before [[Rail Baltica]] is due to provide much faster service to [[Pärnu]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://bnn-news.com/estonia-to-close-railway-line-and-wait-for-rail-baltica-193449 |title = Estonia to close railway line and wait for Rail Baltica |publisher = bnn-news.com}}</ref>

=== Tallinn commuter rail ===
[[File:Train to Aegviidu at Balti jaam.jpg|thumb|left|A commuter train to [[Aegviidu]] at Baltic Station in Tallinn]]
Tallinn's commuter rail network is [[Railway electrification system|electrified]], and it extends east and west from Baltic Station, the total length of the network being {{Cvt|132|km}}. The eastbound line goes to [[Aegviidu]]. The westbound line goes to the town of [[Keila]], where it divides into two branches continuing towards the cargo-harbour city of [[Paldiski]] and inland to [[Turba, Estonia|Turba]]. The Paldiski branch splits at [[Klooga, Estonia|Klooga]], with a short spur going to the beach at [[Klooga-rand]].

Work to upgrade track and the stations took place in the early 2010s.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://tv.nomme.info/video/nomme/raudtee-ehitus-nomme-jaamas/ |title = Video about railways construction |date = 27 June 2012 |work = [[Nõmme TV]] |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120708005520/http://tv.nomme.info/video/nomme/raudtee-ehitus-nomme-jaamas/ |archive-date = 8 July 2012}}</ref> To provide better [[mobile data]] coverage when passing through rural areas, 25 new cell towers were installed by [[Telia Company|Telia]] alongside the Tallinn-Tartu line while [[5G]] apparatus were installed onboard Elron's trains during the early 2020s.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://news.err.ee/1608973862/better-internet-connection-in-trains-requires-25-new-cell-towers |title = Better internet connection in trains requires 25 new cell towers |publisher = news.err.ee |date = 11 May 2023}}</ref>

== Rolling stock ==
[[File:Stadler Flirt Keila jaamas1.jpg|thumb|Stadler Flirt in [[Keila]]]]

Elron currently uses 38 [[Stadler FLIRT]] electric and diesel-electric trains.

Delivery of the 12 three-car and 6 four-car [[Electric multiple unit|EMU]] and 6 two-car, 8 three-car and 6 four-car [[Diesel multiple unit|DEMU]]<ref>est-train.ertas.eu/dr/dmutab.php?lng=eng</ref> trains built by [[Stadler Rail]] started in 2012; by June 2014 all trains had arrived in Estonia.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://uus.elektriraudtee.ee/ajakava/ |title = Elektriraudtee &#124; Ajakava |access-date = 11 June 2013 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130610055846/http://uus.elektriraudtee.ee/ajakava/ |archive-date = 10 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/elektriraudtee-orders-stadler-flirt-trains.html |title = Elektriraudtee orders Stadler Flirt trains |date = 12 April 2010 |work = [[Railway Gazette International]]}}</ref> As of 2015, all of the old Soviet trains were retired.

In mid-2019, Elron received permission to purchase 4 new [[hybrid train]]s with an option to add 2 electric trains. The decision was due to frequently overcrowding on the operator's most popular routes, given an increase of passenger number of more than a third since the replacement of the rolling stock with the Stadler fleet in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://news.err.ee/952218/estonian-government-gives-elron-permission-to-buy-new-trains |title = Estonian government gives Elron permission to buy new trains |date = 13 June 2019 |publisher = news.err.ee |language = en |access-date = 17 June 2019}}</ref>

During October 2020, Elron announced that [[Škoda Transportation]] had won the procurement for six new electric trains with an option to buy 10 more. Škoda will provide six dual system electric trains ([[Škoda 7Ev|Škoda 21Ev]], InterPanter), currently set to begin operating on the electrified Tallinn-Tartu route in September 2025. The total sum of the six trains is €56.2 million, and the handover will be carried out in the second half of 2024. The trains are planned to have a number of replaceable seats that can be moved to create more space for bicycles in warm months and for more seating in colder months.<ref>{{cite web |title = Škoda to deliver trains to Estonia |url = https://www.railjournal.com/rolling-stock/skoda-to-deliver-trains-to-estonia/ |publisher = [[International Railway Journal]] |date = 1 November 2020 |first = Oliver |last = Cuenca}}</ref> In January 2023, the option to purchase 10 additional trainsets was taken up.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.globalrailwayreview.com/news/140976/elron-orders-10-additional-trains-from-skoda-group/ |title = Elron orders 10 additional trains from Škoda Group |publisher = globalrailwayreview.com |first = Elliot |last = Robinson |date = 25 January 2023}}</ref>
{| class="toccolours" cellpadding="3" border="1" style="border-collapse:collapse
|+ '''Elron rolling stock'''
|- style="background:#fa6e17; color:white"
! rowspan="2" |Stock
! rowspan="2" |Type
! rowspan="2" |Introduced
! rowspan="2" style="width:25px;" |Cars
! colspan="3" |Seats
! rowspan="2" |Quantity
|-
! style="width:25px; background:#fa6e17; color:white" |Configuration
! style="width:25px; background:#fa6e17; color:white" |I class
! style="width:25px; background:#fa6e17; color:white" |II class
|-
| rowspan="5" |[[Stadler FLIRT]]
| rowspan="2" align="center" |[[Electric multiple unit|EMU]]
| rowspan="2" align="center" |2013
| align="center" |3
| rowspan="2" align="center" |[[Commuter rail|Commuter service]]
| align="center" |0
| align="center" |188
| align="center" |12
|-
| align="center" |4
| align="center" |0
| align="center" |262
| align="center" |6
|-
| rowspan="3" align="center" |[[Diesel multiple unit|DMU]]
| rowspan="3" align="center" |2014
| align="center" |2
| rowspan="3" align="center" |[[Inter-city rail|Inter-city service]]
| align="center" |16
| align="center" |89
| align="center" |6
|-
| align="center" |3
| align="center" |24
| align="center" |137
| align="center" |8
|-
| align="center" |4
| align="center" |48
| align="center" |166
| align="center" |6
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Škoda 7Ev|Škoda 21Ev]] 
| rowspan="2" |EMU
| align="center" |''2025 (expected)''
| align="center" |3
| align="center" |Inter-city service
| align="center" |32
| align="center" |204
| align="center" |6 + 5 ordered
|-
| align="center" |''2026 (expected)''
| align="center" |3
| align="center" |Commuter service
| align="center" |0
| align="center" |263
| align="center" |0 + 5 ordered
|-
! colspan="7" align="center" |Total
!44 + 10 ordered
|}

== See also ==
* [[Rail transport in Estonia]]
* [[GoRail]], a company operating Tallinn–[[Saint Petersburg]] and Tallinn–[[Moscow]] services
* [[Helsinki commuter rail]]
* [[Pasažieru vilciens|Vivi (rail transit)]] - Latvia's passenger rail company operating Valga–Riga services
* [[Public transport in Tallinn]]
* [[Tallinn–Tapa railway]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category-inline|Elron}}
* {{Official website|http://www.elron.ee|Elron's official website}}

{{National railway companies of Europe}}

{{coord|59.364829|N|24.633316|E|type:landmark_region:EE|display=title}}

[[Category:Railway companies of Estonia]]
[[Category:Companies based in Tallinn]]