Third class travel could be ended on the Trans-Siberian railway

The third class - as much as the first class - carriages often surprised Westerners in Communist times, when everyone was supposed to be equal. But for many people the low cost carriages on long distance trains have offered a chance to travel at an affordable price.

Now the end is in sight for these dormitories on wheels which sleep up to 54 people. 

'Sooner or later it will happen,' said Yakunin. Yakunin suggested using double-decker sleepers instead of third class carriages. This would allow a reduction in the price of tickets by 20%. 

He also said it was possible to substitute third class carriages on day time services with coaches with seats that can be reserved.

But Yakunin admitted that as a young man he used the third class coaches to travel around the USSR. The third class carriages have been in used since 1951 and they are still a mainstay on many long distance trains around Siberia.