Turning a Train Journey Into an Adventure
Russian long-distance trains have launched a new feature within the Poputchik (Fellow Traveler) portal, allowing passengers to play networked games with fellow travelers from the same train while remaining anonymous if they choose.
Federal Passenger Company (FPK), which operates nearly all long-distance passenger trains in Russia, is continuing to enhance customer service by transforming train cars into spaces for leisure and entertainment.
The days of sweltering heat or freezing cold onboard are largely gone. Today, air-conditioning systems maintain a comfortable climate in Russian Railways (RZD) carriages. Passengers can charge phones and other personal devices around the clock. Catering has evolved as well, with travelers able to pre-order meals from extensive menus that include vegetarian and children's options. Passenger entertainment, meanwhile, is provided through the Poputchik portal.
Sea Battle or Backgammon?
More than 120 trains already offer passengers access to the Poputchik information and entertainment system through onboard Wi‑Fi networks. The portal allows users to watch films and TV series, listen to music and audiobooks, read e-books, order food, beverages and souvenirs, and play games.
Following the launch of the new feature, passengers can now play not only against the computer but also against real opponents. Matchmaking is automatic. The "Online" section offers chess, Reversi, long backgammon, Memo, Sea Battle, and an advanced version of tic-tac-toe. If no opponent is immediately available, the system places the player in a waiting room, while the traditional single-player mode remains available. The result is a journey that becomes more engaging, combining social interaction, friendly competition, and opportunities for intellectual stimulation.
The key innovation is the ability to compete against real people located in neighboring compartments or train cars rather than against software. Because the service operates within the train’s own digital infrastructure, it does not require full mobile internet connectivity, making it particularly useful on routes with inconsistent cellular coverage.
The digitalization of passenger transport extends beyond online ticketing, biometrics, and navigation. It also involves building a service ecosystem around the travel experience itself. Russian trains already feature an internal digital platform that combines local Wi‑Fi networks, a content portal, user-oriented services, gaming functionality, and passenger-engagement tools.
Competition for Passengers
As transport operators compete for customers, they continue expanding their passenger-service offerings. In 2021 and 2022, Rossiya Airlines began deploying a streaming onboard entertainment system. The platform delivers content from servers installed onboard aircraft via Wi‑Fi to passengers’ personal devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Aeroflot also provides passengers with access to a wireless multimedia platform through onboard Wi‑Fi networks and personal devices. In 2024, Pobeda Airlines launched its own onboard entertainment system. Passengers connect through Wi‑Fi using their own devices, with films and television series available through the platform, most of them free of charge.
Rail transport is keeping pace with aviation. RZD and FPK are improving the competitiveness of rail travel relative to air and road transport by expanding passenger services and enhancing the overall travel experience. That effort includes updated restaurant menus, new mobile gaming capabilities, and a growing range of digital services that make ticket purchases and journeys themselves simpler and more comfortable.
More Than a Journey
The launch of multiplayer gaming in Poputchik represents another stage in the development of a digital environment for passenger transport. Travelers are now being offered more than movies or standalone games. Instead, they gain access to an interactive platform where passengers not only consume content but also engage with those around them. Digital services are increasingly turning modern travel into a small adventure of its own.
Over the coming years, Poputchik and similar platforms are likely to evolve toward a broader range of interactive features, including children's content, mini-games, personalized recommendations, service ordering, loyalty programs, advertising integrations, and passenger feedback tools. Together, these additions are expected to make public transport journeys even more comfortable and enjoyable.
