SAMARA REGIONAL REPORT

Ekaterina Solovova
Frank M.Petruzzi

Information on Transportation, Telecommunication, Aerospace and Metallurgy industries has been provided by the Investment Promotion Group of the Samara Regional Administration with assistance of US Agency for International Development

Overview

The region of Samaracontains two of the most economically powerful cities in Russia…Samara City and Togliatti, and is home to 3.3 million Samarans spread over a territory of 53, 600 sq. km. During Soviet times, it was the most industrially prolific region along the Volga River, and it still has tremendous agricultural potential. It is also considered one of the top areas of petroleum by-product and machinery production in Russia. But it is the sizeable, educated and industrious population that represents Samara’s greatest asset.

The people of Samara are well-educated, honest and hard working (and equally as hard playing). They are the products of 18 institutions of higher education ranging from engineering to language institutes, and from aviation to business universities.

Samarans have not yet been desensitised to the presence of foreigners and will always greet those speaking imperfect Russian with a smile. Whereas in Moscow one may be made to feel ill at ease with business people, it is not unusual for a foreigner to be warmly and unexpectedly greeted by a delegation from a local business in Samara. And when asked, locals always seem to go out of their way to provide copious directions.

In contrast to this provincial attitude toward foreign guests, Samara is a rather prosperous and developed area. The Economist magazine and Wall Street Journal (April 30, 1996) ranked Samara region as one of Russia’s most commercially developed areas after Moscow. Because regions further west have received more attention, Samara may represent the greatest untapped investment opportunities. Taking into account the receptive nature of the local governments and the lower cost of living, it may be in some ways an even better opportunity than most other places.

Geography & History

The Samara region is located approximately 600 miles south-east of Moscow and is bisected by the Volga River. The neighboring regions are Tatarstan in the north, Kazakhstan in the south and Saratov in the west. It is rather unique in Russia in that it has two major industrial/business centers. Samara City and Togliatti are located about 60 miles apart but are significantly different in their history and character.

Samara was founded in 1586 as a fortress to protect the southern boundaries of Russia. During the Soviet era the city was a center for military development and closed to foreigners and to most Russians. It was reopened in 1991 and is now a thriving commercial environment and has one of the most famous embankments in Europe featuring miles of beach, boardwalk and gardens. The city is home to 1.3 million people.

Togliatti is located on the left bank of the Volga, across from the picturesque Zhiguli Mountains. Founded in 1737 as the City of Stavropol, its relocation and rebuilding as a modern city was made necessary in 1957 by the construction of the Volga Hydro Electric Power Station and Dam. When the immense Volga Automobile Plant was completed in 1964 as a joint venture with Fiat, the city was renamed Togliatti to honor the famous Italian communist leader. This city was not a center of military production and therefore remained open. Currently, the city has about 720,000 residents.

The Samara region was home to “Stalin’s bunker” and during the period of WWII, when it seemed Moscow would fall, the city briefly served as the capital of Soviet Union. During the last ten years of the Soviet leadership, the area suffered terribly in terms of shortages of food, clothing, and fuel. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Samara region has become one of Russia’s top commercial centers. It is one of the five top net contributors to the federal budget, and a place teeming with shops, recreation, and technology in a number of areas including farming, industry, media, petrochemicals, and aviation.

Political Climate

Like most of western Russia, the Samara Region has undergone enormous changes since 1990. Aside from the commercial zest of the area, the most obvious contrast is in politics. The current Governor, Konstantine Titov, has expressed the feeling that Samara Region should no longer consider itself the second capital of Russia. Rather the people and government should work toward “making Samara the second Chicago, and Togliatti, the second Detroit”. The Governor is considered a serious liberal contender in the next presidential elections. 

The former Mayor of Samara City, Oleg Sisuyev, used to be a vice-premier of the Russian Federation in Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin's Government. As mayor, his efforts at promoting Samara to investors and foreigners looking to do business in Russia attracted the attention of the Wall Street Journal. (April 30, 1996).

Additionally, the Oblast Duma is regarded as one of the most progressive in Russia. In July of 1998, the Duma passed the most comprehensive land law in the nation, giving every Russian the right to own property and, more importantly, establishing a comprehensive and manageable system of deeds and property transfers. The other law "About Investments in Samara Oblast," coming into effect soon, gives tax breaks and other forms of government support to investors.

In order to ease entry into Samara Region for foreigners, the Oblast Administration and both cities of Samara and Togliatti maintain foreign business relations departments. These departments have multi-lingual staff and welcome foreign business to make inquiries. The offices may provide leads as to opportunities, assistance in housing and registration, or simply answer questions. These organisations consider themselves successful when they promote or develop foreign enterprise. They seek to make Russian laws and procedures understandable to the foreigner businessman and perform this task with diligence and courtesy. There is also Investment Promotion Group in the Samara Oblast Administration. This is a relatively new government unit aimed to attract investments into Samara and promote the region in the world business community.

During 1997, the U.S State Department and USAID undertook an exhaustive review of the status and sentiments of a large number of Russian oblasts. The intent was to find co-operative, pro-western regional governments that would promote the success of U.S. government funded projects. The Samara region was selected, and has been the focus of Gore-Chernomyrdin agreements. As a result of this agreement, the Samara Regional Investment Initiative (RII), headed by a U.S. State Department representative, was established in July 1998. The RII helps other U.S. Government programs and companies enter the Samara business community and develop their projects.

Infrastructure

How to get to Samara
by air

The Samara regional airport is located halfway between the city of Samara and Togliatti. It is approximately a one-hour drive from the airport to the center of either city. The passenger terminal building has the capacity for 400 passengers per hour and 120 flights per day. The airport also incorporates a cargo shed and an aircraft maintenance hangar. The airport has an international customs department, which expeditiously handles incoming international flights.
Travel between the Samara region and Europe is possible on non-stop flights to Frankfurt (3 flights/week) on Lufthansa, to Vienna (2 flights/ week) and to Tel Aviv (2 times/week) on Samara Airlines. The latter also services flights to numerous cities in Russia and CIS, as well as international flights to Turkey and Greece. The airlines from other Russian and CIS cities serve flights to Samara. There are several flights to and from Moscow every day, served by Samara and Moscow airlines. Flight time is 1.5 hours between Moscow and Samara and 3 hours to Europe.

…by train

Samara is the headquarter of the Kuibyshevskaya Railway - one of the largest in the whole of Russia, crossing 10 regions and connecting the western and central parts of the country with the Urals, Siberia, Kazakhstan, and Central Asia and those areas' supplies of finished products and raw materials.
The railway serves the region's oil processing plants, as well as those of Bashkortostan and Tatarstan, the automobile companies of Togliatti, Ulyanovsk and Naberezhniye Chelny (Tatarstan), as well as chemical plants, construction materials plants, agricultural machinery and food processing plants. The railway has 200 cargo stations over its 7,000 km length, 62 of which are in the Samara Region. More than half of the railway is electrified.
The Samara City Government has launched a project to construct a new terminal with hotel, business center and other facilities, conforming to international standards. Part of this terminal is already constructed and being successfully utilized. 
Regularly scheduled trains travel between Samara and almost all cities in Russia. The train system in Samara is convenient and accessible year-round. Express trains numbered 1-100 are reliable and usually on time, presenting a low-cost way to travel. The luxury rooms on the trains vary greatly, but often they are “acceptable.” An express train to and from Moscow runs every day and the journey is 18 hours each way. There are also transit trains that go to Moscow.
Some tickets are not available in advance and can be bought only on the day of departure. The ticket offices at the station are open 24 hours a day, but tickets cannot be bought by phone from there. Home delivery is available if a ticket is ordered at least 2 days prior to departure.
The major cargo company in Samara is Railway Center of Firm Transport Services – an organization that controls railway transportation and defines and calculates transport tariffs, as well as transports, handles, and traces cargo. There are also several other cargo and forwarding firms, which can deliver goods to and from Europe, CIS, Baltic states and Asia. The services of such companies as Militzer & Muench International Transports, OY Railtrans Ltd. conform to international standards.
Delivery terms from different Russian seaports such as St. Petersburg, Novorossiysk (on the Black Sea), and Kaliningrad can vary from 16 to 20 days and cost $300 to $1,000 for 20-foot containers.

…by road

Several major inter-connecting regional roads cross the Samara Region, providing good access to many other parts of the Russian Federation. Transport companies operate both domestic and international haulage services. The standard speed for transportation of containers by road is 400 km per day. Average time of delivery from Samara to Moscow is 2 days; to St. Petersburg - 3 days; to Odessa (Black Sea) – 3; and to Western Europe- 10 to 15 days.

…by sea

Samara Region is situated on the Volga river, the largest waterway in Russia linking northern and southern ports, to the White, Barents and Kara Seas in the north; the Caspian Sea, Sea of Azov, Black and Mediterranean Seas in the south; and the Baltic and North Seas in the west. Samara City and Togliatti both have ports with good handling facilities and road connections. The main cargo is oil and oil-based products, and the ports can accommodate cargo ships with a load capacity of up to 5,000 tons. Passenger ships are available to and from Moscow, St. Petersburg and all large ports along the Volga River. Travel to Moscow takes about 7 days.

Communications
Use of standard telephone lines

Though the quality of telephone lines is not very good and there can be difficulties sending and receiving faxes inside Russia, regular phone lines still remain the most common form of telecommunication. At the moment, telephone penetration rate in Samara is more than 17 lines per 100 people.
It is possible to dial direct to most places both inside and outside of Russia. To make a long distance call inside Russia, dial 8 + city code + phone number (the total number of figures will be 11). Calling outside Russia, dial 8 + 10 + country code + area/city code + phone number. The country code for the US is 1. For operator assistance, call 070.
The connection with foreign countries from Samara is surprisingly good, quick and clear. Local providers are gradually improving phone connections, replacing old analog lines and exchangers with new digital lines. All telecom services are available to customers. A company can install and lease as many phone lines as needed for an additional charge. The cost for telephone line installation varies from $80 to $400, depending on waiting time and quality of service.
Wireless communication services are available from several providers such as: SMARTS GSM and BeeLine (cellular), SamaraSvyazinform (radial-zoned), Samara Mobile Network (trunking). Clients can chose from a range of services, including leasing of equipment. The average price per minute for a cellular phone call is $0.30.

Electronic Mail

Being the most reliable, prompt and safe means of telecommunications available in the city, e-mail is highly recommended as a primary means of communication. Local e-mail service, Internet access and web design are available through a variety of servers. The average price for unlimited Internet access, provided by major servers, is $40-50/month.

Postage Facilities

The local mail system works surprisingly well for international mail but the security of proprietary information cannot be guaranteed. As an alternative to the Russian state-owned mail system, DHL, UPS and U.S. Postal Express Service operate in Samara. Time of delivery is approximately four days between the U.S. and Russia, and overnight for shipments to or from Moscow. For shipments other than documents, special arrangements should be made with these companies concerning customs clearance.

Office Space & Equipment
It is difficult sometimes to find office space ready for use as a representative office of a Western firm. Older buildings are usually in bad shape and need a significant amount of renovation. The style of offices in newly built buildings is also very different from American standards; it can take time to find an appropriate office. Prices for office space rental in the central districts of the city range from $6 to $20 per square meter.
A wide variety of office furniture and equipment is available. Local vendors can provide name brands or custom products at surprisingly reasonable prices. Computers carried through customs will enter duty free, but must be taken out when the owner leaves.

Economic Performance

Samara Region is a net donor to the federal budget and one of the most economically developed regions in Central Russia. In 1997 its GRP (Gross Regional Product) was $12.9 bln or 3.7% of all Russian output. GRP per capita in the Samara Region is the largest among members of the interregional association "Big Volga" (11 regions along the Volga river). However, the financial crisis in August 1998 significantly affected all sectors of the Samara economy as well as Russia overall: the average decline in production output (calculated in rubles) in 1998 was 10% compared to 1997.

Some stabilisation was achieved in the beginning of 1999. When the initial panic and frustration immediately following the crisis had dissapated, small and medium sized enterprises started to find ways to survive. They are actively exploring new directions for their survival and development in current economic conditions.
The large former state enterprises such as ball bearing plants or AutoVAZ are continuously near bankruptcy. Their highly-leveraged and outdated management structures hardly can survive in new market conditions. However, the Government takes efforts to help them, restructuring their debts or writing those debts off . 
The banking sector was the first that suffered immediately after the ruble devaluation. The Moscow banks which had significant assets invested into GKO (government short-term bonds) failed immediately (Inkombank, SBS-Agro) and had to close their branches in Samara. As a result, the regional banks that had not been rated highly by their Moscow colleagues before and invested mostly into the real sector, began to play a major role on the local market. Client choice was mostly governed by the Samara Oblast Administration’s decision to create a joint payment pool of banks in order to support their liquidity and stabilise financial market. This pool was comprised of Gasbank, Togliattichimbank, and Solidarity Bank and Automobile Banking House. Most clients moved their deposits to those banks from others as they found out about the alliance. Gasbank’s management confessed later that this union was more a political measure than an economical one.

Those regional banks that had been involved in operations with GKOs and suffered as a result tried to survive through different types of reorganisation and mergers with other banks. As a result, a number of new banks appeared on the financial market of Samara. The lack of solid financial institutions encouraged Samara banks to seek new opportunities. For instance, Solidarity Bank began to invest into the real economy. It has created its own holding with agricultural enterprises.

Of the Moscow banks left in Samara, the following three are leaders and operate well: Alfa-Bank, a leader in the credit/debit card market and a provider of the Western Union Card system; Vneshtorgbank, almost the only bank that operates with all world currencies and has a developed chain of subsidiary banks abroad; and the bank“Moscow Business World” that opened its branch in Samara, following its largest client – the industrial group “Sibirsky Aluminum” – to Samara.

Leading Industry Sectors

As mentioned above, the Samara Region is the heir to a commercial tradition that originated in the 1700s and continues to this day. The most significant economic sectors for the region include metallurgy, machine building, aerospace, petro-chemicals, and farming. Now, due to the region’s economic development and the population’s increasing financial security, the market for non-industrial products is also expanding rapidly. Most significantly, telecommunications, household appliances and electronics, computers and office equipment, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and food products have existing networks for distribution and are areas with potential for growth.

Metallurgy

Samara is the center of Russia's aluminium processing sector, supplying the aerospace, shipbuilding, military and other industries.
Europe's largest manufacturer and supplier of aluminium semi-finished products, the Samara Metallurgical Plant, is based here. Its products are used not only in local industries but are exported to over 30 countries world-wide. The company is Russia's only manufacturer of a wide range of semis, as well as the world's only supplier of products such as finned panels and some types of heavy stampings. Semis manufactured by the plant are used for the MiG-29, Su-31 and Il-96 aircraft, carrier rockets, space vehicles, hydrofoil and air-cushion vessels.
The Samara Metallurgical Plant employs around 8,500 people, its export market -representing about 30% of the region's total exports - is worth approximately $40 million. The plant's quality control system has been attested and is certified as meeting the ISO 9002 quality standards.
In 1998, the company became a part of the Sibirsky Aluminium Group, improving its supply of raw materials and access to sales' system. The group also includes the Sayansk Aluminum Smelter, the Sayan Foil Works, the Dmitrov Can Stock Plant, the Abakanvagonmash Works and the ROSTAR plant.

Machinery

Heavy machinery in Samara Region has been produced since World War Two when the most important Russian plants were evacuated to the safer area of Samara. Their activity was mostly oriented to the needs of the defense industry and fulfilled state orders. During the time of reforms, almost all enterprises in the sector have had to explore consumer goods production, as state orders have shrunk considerably.
Currently, the machinery and metal-working industries constitute about 54% of the economy of the Samara region. Samara enterprises export cars and spare parts, bearings, metal-cutting machine tools, transformers, cables, etc. During the period of 1991-1998, machinery production volumes shrank by 34%, relatively little compared to other sectors. It is due to the fact that AUTOVAZ produces 70% of all Russian cars. Almost all enterprises in the sector are leveraged and experience many financial and management problems: low profitability (shrinking from 20.7 per cent to 6.5 per cent during 1998), high costs (social infrastructure, idle capacities, etc.), defaults in payment. The low sales level is one of the largest problems of machinery – this sector produces about ¾ of all unsold products. The largest amounts of such products are concentrated in the automobile, bearing, electric engineering, oil and petrochemical machinery sectors.

Automotive

Russia's leading car manufacturer and one of the biggest industrial enterprises - AUTOVAZ - is located in the city of Togliatti. The factory was built in 1966 to produce Fiat cars, which resulted in the high concentration of car component manufacturers in the region. In 1997 AUTOVAZ's production volume was the highest for the past 6 years (740 thousand units), in 1998 it fell by 23%. The fundamental problems of this top Russian car producer are caused by low quality models and high production costs. Although, AUTOVAZ is currently experiencing a decline in sales, it still remains a machine-building giant with good sales in Russia. Export activity of AUTOVAZ includes Asia, CIS, and third-world countries.

Bearings

There are four bearing producing enterprises in Samara. Together they produce about 22.1 percent of Russia’s total bearing output (40.7 mln units in 1998). The major player is Samara Bearing Factory AO - roller bearings producer, which employs 9000 and exported an estimated $15 mln worth of production in 1998.

Aerospace

Samara Region is home to Russia's leading aircraft, aircraft engine, and spaceship manufacturers. As well as space vehicles for both manned and unmanned spacecraft, these enterprises also produce satellites which are used for map-making, for geological and agricultural research, environmental control and other purposes.
The region's plants and research centers were originally orientated to high-technology defense products, but are now geared to civil needs. This refocusing has led to the design and manufacture of new vehicles, engines and products suitable not just for aviation and but also for the oil, chemical and construction industries.
The leading organizations involved in the aerospace industry within the region are as follows:

Aviakor (TU, AN-70 aircraft; furniture);CSCB-PROGRESS (development, construction and operation of spacecraft and various space systems); Motorostroitel (aviation and spacecraft engines); Hydroautomatica (high quality and unique multi-purpose control and adjustment aggregates for pneumatic, fuel and hydraulic machinery, motor transport, medical equipment, etc).

Oil & Power

The Samara Region is one of Russia's oldest oil producing regions, though production is declining because of the exhaustion of oil reserves. The oil-processing industry is developed but the level of deep oil processing cannot be regarded sufficient (62.4%). Samara's oil sector is controlled by the YUKOS oil company (#2 in Russia's oil sector). Modernization of the Novokuibyshevsk and Syzran refineries is aimed to increase output of light petroleum derivatives output. However, these projects face money shortages.
The Samara Region is the key distribution center of inter-regional and exported crude oil flows in Russia, and the third largest center of petrochemical industry in Russia. The local petrochemical complex produces nitrogen, synthetic organic substances, and synthetic rubber. The production of phosphorous compounds, carbon black, and elementary sulphur is also of importance. Local enterprises produce basic materials for synthetic fiber, resin and plastic manufacture: polyethylene and phenol. Synthetic fatty acids and various detergents are produced from oil processing wastes.
The Samara Region is an important power-generation center in the European part of the country; it supplies 40% of the electric power generated in the Volga Region (8.5% of that of Russia). The shares issued by SAMARAENERGO electric power producer are among the most actively traded securities at Russian exchanges, along with shares of SAMARANEFTEGAZ oil producer.

Agriculture

Regional agriculture enjoys fertile soils and good climate. Crops and animal husbandry are well developed. The local farmers also cultivate sunflower, sugar beet and hemp, as well as breed cattle for both milk and meat. Sheep breeding gives semifine-wooled sheepskin. Local milling is of interregional importance. Canadian agro-scientists, having studied the agricultural industry in 1998, indicated that currently the area produces revenues of about $200 million, but the potential attainable through more modern farming techniques and seeding could create a $20 billion annual industry during the next decade.
From time to time agricultural output suffers from droughts, especially this year, when the yield will not satisfy all needs of the region. The most progressive local farms try to increase land productivity and grain quality through implementation of foreign technologies, fertilizers and equipment. One example of such attempts is cooperation with German holding AHT Systems which has supplies consulting and machinery to Russian farms for the last 3 years.
The food processing industry is represented by alcohol and beer plants, chocolate and milk processing factories. Construction materials and pharmaceutical/medical productions are among the more rapidly developing industries.

Foreign Trade

In 1997 international trade in the Samara Region was described as "booming.” During the three years preceding the 1998 financial crisis, tremendous gains were made in the availability of consumer products. Although there is always room for new western products, it is possible to purchase everything from Q-Tips to computers, from Scotch Whisky to tennis shoes, without any problem. Although exteriors are still in the process of receiving facelifts, the interiors are well appointed and sales staff may be the most helpful in Russia.
However, this "boom" has decreased greatly because of the August 17 crash. Many imported products became unaffordable for most of the Russian population, and this fact has encouraged local manufacturers to develop domestic production and promote products "made in Russia." In many cases they use foreign technologies and equipment to produce western quality products. It is becoming harder to find "purely" imported goods in Samara as well as "purely" Russian: products are usually produced in Russia with foreign equipment and/or made of imported components and technologies, or at least packed with foreign packaging materials/equipment.
Therefore, the structure of import has changed to technologies and equipment, from finished goods. Furthermore, local manufacturers are usually reluctant to simply buy equipment; they are more willing to find a strategic western partner and use partner's brand name to promote their products. This way of co-operation may be profitable for both sides.
Below are some figures characterising the dynamics of foreign trade in the Samara Region and the share of U.S. products. The U.S. share of imports is 6-7 percent of the total volume of imports. The leading importers to Samara are Germany and Ukraine (20% and 13% respectively). At the same time, the U.S. is one of the major exporters from the Samara Region: in 1998 the U.S. share was 20% of the total volume of export.

The leading imported products (in dollar value) are machinery, food products and raw products for food processing, pharmaceuticals, oil and petrochemical products. Exports are dominated by machinery, metals, oil and petrochemicals.

Foreign Investment

International interest in the Samara Region grew rapidly in 1996-97. Just in 1997 alone, there were 42 new enterprises listing foreign investment. These include trade, service, and production firms doing business in the areas of agriculture, aviation, petrochemicals, computer technology, and consumer products. Investments initiated in 1997 were from 20 countries including Eastern and Western Europe, CIS, China and the U.S. In 1998 FDI inflow in Samara, estimated by National Statistics, was $60 million or 3 per cent of total FDI in Russia. This indicator in Samara did not fall so significantly as in overall country after the crisis in August.

Some of the significant foreign investment projects in the Samara Region include the following:
General Motors/Packard Electric Divisionlocally producing and supplying wiring harnesses to the Volga Automobile Plant(VAZ) in Togliatti

Corning Incorporated joint venture with Samara Cable Company to produce optical cable for sale within the former Soviet Union

Coca-Cola bottling plant in Samara
Pepsi-Cola bottling plant in Samara
Lufthansa German Airlines flying three flights a week to Frankfort and the world
Nestle Food LLC in joint venture with Rossia Chocolate Company of Samara
GTS joint venture Teleross, providing digital telephone service throughout the region
Danone Volga production plant in Togliatti

The investment environment is being improved step by step by the regional government and different technical assistance programs, funded by the U.S. Government and the European Commission. Aside from the Samara Investment Promotion Group, created in early 1999 with USAID technical assistance, other developments have been made recently. 
A local advisory council of foreign investors was organised in 1999 in Samara. This council participates in regional legislation development and has established a fruitful dialog between the Government and foreign private business. A good example of this dialog is the pursuit of a new investment law that gives tax breaks and government guarantees to investors for a payback period. This law is expected to come into effect as soon as the Governor signs it.
Local press also contributes to the region's development. For example, Volga Business Magazine won a Eurasia Foundation grant for implementation of the project "Information assistance for investment and cooperation in the Samara region". 
The Regional Investment Initiative and its contractors are taking steps toward helping Russians understand American expectations and assisting in building relationships, which may lead to Russian-American business. However, cultural differences seem to be the major cause of frustration between representatives of each country.

Visit Information
Hotels in Samara Region
There really is no top business accommodation in Samara yet. The niche for 4- or 5-star hotels is still open. Only three of 21 hotels are officially rated by an international system. Others are certified by local authorities. However, business people can find nice, clean, air-conditioned, privately owned hotels downtown. 

Restaurants

There are literally hundreds of cafes, outdoor and indoor, and an abundance of quality restaurants throughout Samara. Locating and testing these is part of the adventure of living and working in Russia. 
Cafes are much less expensive. A good dinner can be $4 to $7. The quality of food and service is generally high, and will be faster than a restaurant. The worldwide fast food chain restaurants available in Samara are Grill Master and McDonalds.
Tipping is an interesting development in Russia. During Soviet times there was no tipping, and the service reflected it. Now, it is accepted that the tip appropriate for an American server would also be appropriate for a Russian; however, greater than 10 percent may be considered excessive.

Local Transportation

Public transportation in Samara City has considerably improved during recent years. New Mercedes busses cruise around the city along with trams and trolleys. There is a metro as well, but there are few stations. For those who prefer taxis, there are several taxi agencies available, but the favorite means of transportation among locals and ex-pats are: 

… “Gypsy” cabs

In Samara, anybody who owns a car is potentially a taxi. At the time of this writing prices range from 10 rubles to 25 rubles within the center of the city, depending on the time of day and the distance. This can be a convenient way to get around but it is also potentially dangerous. Do not get into a car, which already has a passenger in it. To ensure safe arrival, it is not recommended to travel around the city in unofficial taxis.

Entertainment

Russian cities are well known for their cultural activities. Samara is no exception in this regard. There is an excellent Philharmonic, Ballet Theatre, and Drama Theatre. The city also has several decent movie theatres with Dolby Surround system showing current releases. There are several very nice discos, numerous casinos, and some very good music clubs.
Possibly the most popular pastime in summer is playing at the beach. Samara and Togliatti have very nice beaches and boardwalks along the river. The Samara City beach stretches about three miles and is heavily used all summer long. Local authorities regularly sample the water, and the quality seems to be quite acceptable. There are also heated municipal pools for winter use. Cable and satellite television has also arrived.

MONEY & BANKING

Currency Regulations

All currency payments in Samara, as throughout the Russian Federation, must be made in Russian Rubles. Usually, US dollars are not an acceptable form of payment. 
Dollars can easily be changed at banks or hotels during working hours, but currently no bank or exchange bureau is open in the evenings or on Sunday. 
A few ATMs have recently been installed in the city, and ruble withdrawals can be made using U.S., European or Russian debit cards. The most popular card is VISA: it is accepted in every bank and ATM. The commission is 1.5-2%.
A few restaurants and shops are currently accepting Visa and Mastercard as a form of payment. Credit cards are not widely accepted, however, and should not be considered a primary means of payment.
Sometimes it is possible to get a cash advance from a Visa card but, again, this should not be relied upon as a way to get cash.
Some banks (e.g. Sberbank) accept Traveller's checks, but the commission is about 10% and there is no guarantee that the checks will be honored. 
Bring clean, crisp, 100 dollar bills. Russia is a cash economy, so consider carrying significantly more cash than normal.
 
Banking in Samara

Compared to American banking, the industry is still in the developing stages in Russia. Russian banks have been made to adhere to stricter capital restrictions in recent years and the Central Bank watchdog committee takes its job seriously. Nonetheless, one should be aware of risks and assess each bank which one expects to use based upon reputation and current status.