The Moscow Metro turns 87 years old

The Face Pay
The Moscow Metro is one of the largest metro systems in the world and one of the world leaders in the number of contactless payment methods. The ticketing system of Moscow has been recognized internationally several times. For two years in a row, it has received the prestigious Transport Ticketing Award (2020, 2021).

In October 2021, the Moscow Metro has launched the Face Pay – completely contactless fare payment using the facial recognition technology. To pay fare passengers don't need to use a smartphone or a bank card – they can just look into the camera on the turnstile.

In order to determine that there is a live person in front of the camera and not a photo, video or 3D mask, the Liveness function is used: it determines whether the behavior of the person in the frame is natural and not static.

The facial recognition payment technology has been used on such a large scale for the first time in the world: it is now available on 14 lines and 251 metro stations, as well as the Kutuzovskaya station of the Moscow Central Circle. Each metro station has at least one turnstile for the Face Pay payment system.

In total, there have been more than 19 million passes with the help of the Face Pay since the service started; more than 82 thousand metro passengers have registered in the Face Pay. It is expected that up to 15% of passengers will switch to this payment method in the next 2-3 years.

The Big Circle Line
The Moscow Metro is rapidly developing its infrastructure: since 2010, there have been opened 100 new stations (including the Moscow Central Circle).

One of the biggest projects of the Moscow Metro is the Big Circle Line, second circle line of the Moscow Metro which is currently under the construction. When completed, it will have 31 stations and, with a length of more than 70 km, will become the longest circle metro line in the world.

In December 2021, the Moscow Metro has launched 10 new stations of the Big Circle Line, which was the biggest simultaneous opening in the history of Russian metro construction.

Rolling stock
The Moscow Metro is a leader in terms of update of the rolling stock. Until 2024, approximately 600 more new cars will enter the service, making the fleet younger by almost 80%.

Moscow receives only the new generation Moskva-2020 trains. These are reliable, convenient and spacious trains. They have touch-screen panels for route planning, Wi-Fi, USB slots for gadgets, increased doorway by almost a third, and reduced noise level.

Mobility and inclusion
The Moscow Metro provides a wide range of services to make mobility better for everyone. One of such services is the Passenger Mobility Centre, which received the International Communitas Award in 2021.

The Centre helps passengers with disabilities, parents with strollers, senior citizens or groups of children.

In the last two years, the Centre expanded beyond the Moscow Metro, having started to assist passengers of on the surface transport. The number of available routes is constantly increasing.

More than 100 inspectors work every day to ensure comfort and convenience of our passengers. So that everyone can be in touch, since last year inspectors have portable batteries for mobile gadgets – now all clients of the Moscow Metro can recharge their smartphones during their trip.

Moscow Tram
Moscow Metro has been operating the city's trams since February 2021. Unified management and the application of strict metro standards are aimed at increasing speed, improving operational services and enhancing the quality of passenger service.

Moscow constantly renews trams rolling stock. Now modern low-floor models of trams operate on 87% of the routes. In 2023, modern fully low-floor one-and three-section cars will make up the absolute majority of trams in the city.

Moreover, Maksim Liksutov, the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport, had previously announced the launch of a driverless tram in Moscow by 2022-2023. The Moscow Department of Transport implements the project together with Yandex company. Now the Krasnopresnensky tram depot is preparing the equipment for the launch of a driverless tram.

In addition, Moscow tram announced its first new tram line in 40 years that is planned to be launched in end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024. The 1.6 km section will connect two major tram clusters, thus creating additional "tram diameters" through the city. One of the diameters will connect the east and the south of Moscow, the second will connect the east and the southwest of the city. Travelling around the capital will become more convenient for almost two million people.

To celebrate the metro's birthday, the Moscow Metro will organize a wide range of events. An exhibition of cars of different years will be held at Partizanskaya metro station as well of an exhibition of retro metro maps. Passengers will enjoy audio greetings from the stars, festive posters, and musical concerts. There will also be a variety of competitions with monthly metro passes as prizes.

www.mosmetro.com