TRANSPORT MEGAPROJECT
The new above-ground metro:
why we need Moscow Central Diameters
why we need Moscow Central Diameters
Shorter headways, a unified ticketing system, convenient transfer to other means of transportation: those are the benefits of pass-through diameters over the usual commuter trains
Moscow is launching a new mega project — Moscow Central Diameters (MCDs). Basically, those are new metro lines linking Moscow to the Moscow Region.
When are the first MCDs going to be launched?
The first two MCDs are to be launched in the late 2019 — early 2020.
They will connect Smolensk and Sverdlovsk directions (Odintsovo — Lobnya), as well as Kursk and Riga directions (Nakhabino — Podolsk). They take up about 30 per cent of the entire program's passenger flow.
They have been chosen, because the railroad infrastructure along them is almost ready for the new mode. Moreover, those directions are the most popular and well-connected to the metro network and the MCC: 25 metro and four MCC transfer stations are planned.
Further, another three diameters are scheduled for launch: Zelenograd — Ramenskoye, Aprelevka — Zheleznodorozhny and Pushkino — Domodedovo. Other routes may be considered for development in the future.
They will connect Smolensk and Sverdlovsk directions (Odintsovo — Lobnya), as well as Kursk and Riga directions (Nakhabino — Podolsk). They take up about 30 per cent of the entire program's passenger flow.
They have been chosen, because the railroad infrastructure along them is almost ready for the new mode. Moreover, those directions are the most popular and well-connected to the metro network and the MCC: 25 metro and four MCC transfer stations are planned.
Further, another three diameters are scheduled for launch: Zelenograd — Ramenskoye, Aprelevka — Zheleznodorozhny and Pushkino — Domodedovo. Other routes may be considered for development in the future.
Facts and Numbers
Late 2019 – Early 2020
Launch of the first diameters
334 million people
Projected transport capacity
5-6 minutes
Headway during rush hour
What is going to be done?
The existing railroad infrastructure will be updated and used as a basis for our new passenger transport service, with convenient transfers to other transport lines, a unified ticketing system, services and navigation familiar to those using the metro and Moscow Central Circle. High-tech trains are going to cover the new routes with minimum headways (five to six minutes during the rush hour). The existing commuter trains, however, will stay active on the railroad.
Are there any new tracks going to be built?
The first two diameters will not need any new tracks. However, some new tracks might prove necessary to launch the rest of the routes. There are currently additional tracks under construction along the radial branches, which is vital to the diameters, since those two projects are interconnected.
Who are the target customers?
The first stage of the program alone will make transportation easier for 3.7 million people. Those are residents of Lianozovo, Vostochnoye Degunino, Beskudnikovsky, Marfino, Timiryazevsky, Tverskoy, Butyrsky, Savelovky, Otradnoye, Altufyevsky, Presnensky, Begovoy, Dorogomilovo, Kuntsevo, Fili-Davydkovo, Mozhaysky, Mitino, Yuzhnoye Tushino, Pokrovskoye-Streshnevo, Shchukino, Voykovsky, Aeroport, Maryina Roshcha, Meshchansky, Krasnoselsky, Basmanny, Tekstilshchiki, Pechatniki, Moskvorechye — Saburovo, Tsaritsyno, Biryulevo Vostochnoye, Biryulevo Zapadnoye, Chertanovo Yuzhnoye, Lefortovo, Lyublino, Maryino, Nizhegorodsky, Yuzhnoye Butovo districts and Shcherbinki town.
Commuting will become more convenient for the residents of Greater Moscow: Skolkovo, Lobnya, Dolgoprudnoye, Odintsovo, Krasnogorsk, Podolsk and Nakhabino.
Commuting will become more convenient for the residents of Greater Moscow: Skolkovo, Lobnya, Dolgoprudnoye, Odintsovo, Krasnogorsk, Podolsk and Nakhabino.
What will change
The new transport project will make it possible to shorten train headways along the existing routes to five to six minutes during the rush hour
After the infrastructure update, extra trains can be launched with minimum headways. The entire train fleet is going to be updated. During the first stage, 15 new trains will start running along the Odintsovo — Lobnya route and 24 along Nakhabino — Podolsk route alongside the old commuter trains. The passengers will get to their destinations faster, with no need to make transfers and without relying on the timetable.
Further development of the diameters will enable us to create additional passenger throughput and balance the load on the urban transport and highways.
The MCDs working hours will coincide with the metro: 05:30 a.m. till 01:00 a.m.
Overall, experts estimate that the MCD project will take about 10−12 per cent of the load from the entire transport infrastructure of Moscow.
Further development of the diameters will enable us to create additional passenger throughput and balance the load on the urban transport and highways.
The MCDs working hours will coincide with the metro: 05:30 a.m. till 01:00 a.m.
Overall, experts estimate that the MCD project will take about 10−12 per cent of the load from the entire transport infrastructure of Moscow.
How many transfer points to the other transport lines are planned?
The Odintsovo ― Lobnya diameter is going to have 28 stations, with 12 metro, two MCC and six radial railway transfers.
The Nakhabino — Podolsk diameter is going to have 38 stations, with 13 metro, two MCC and seven radial railway transfers.
The Nakhabino — Podolsk diameter is going to have 38 stations, with 13 metro, two MCC and seven radial railway transfers.
What will the trains be like?
As is already known, the newest urban Ivolga trains are going to run along the first two MCDs. Ivolga trains are 100% designed and made in Russia. Their engineering level, comfort and business performance are not inferior to the best foreign equivalents, with some parameters even exceeded.
Ivolga trains are quiet, they run smooth and make no vibration. The passenger chairs are placed facing one another, with baggage compartments and coat hangers above them. The trains have more handrails with "warm" insulation, so that even standing passengers could travel in comfort.
The new cars have no vestibules; the new, extra-wide doors (140 cm) open by pressing the button. There are blow heaters at the doors to keep the car warm. The ventilation system, in turn, helps keep up the microclimate and disinfect the air.
The new cars have no vestibules; the new, extra-wide doors (140 cm) open by pressing the button. There are blow heaters at the doors to keep the car warm. The ventilation system, in turn, helps keep up the microclimate and disinfect the air.
Ivolga trains have all the attributes of a modern passenger service: bike racks, USB chargers for gadgets, video screens, Wi-Fi, convenient information screens and changing tables in the WCs.
The trains are also equipped for passengers with reduced mobility, with secure wheelchair holders and spacious WCs. There are also Braille information signs for visually impaired passengers.
To smoothly integrate the diameters with other city transport, there will be a convenient ticketing system. Passengers will be able to pay the fare by their Troika cards.
The trains are also equipped for passengers with reduced mobility, with secure wheelchair holders and spacious WCs. There are also Braille information signs for visually impaired passengers.
To smoothly integrate the diameters with other city transport, there will be a convenient ticketing system. Passengers will be able to pay the fare by their Troika cards.
How much will be the travel fare?
There will be three tariff zones on MCD:
— Central Zone for trips inside Moscow (within the boundaries of Mark — Setun and Volokolamskaya — Ostafyevo stations);
— Prigorod Zone for trips outside Mark — Setun and Volokolamskaya — Ostafyevo stations and to the MCD terminal stations Odintsovo — Lobnya and Nakhabino — Podolsk.
— Dalnyaya Zone for trips outside the MCD.
The same as with the MCC, Central Zone will be integrated into the unified Moscow tariff zone, with the travel fare for the price of a one-trip metro ticket at the Wallet Troika tariff and a free transfer between the metro, MCC and MCD provided. So, if you travel on the MCD inside Moscow, with Troika Travel Card it will cost RUB 38 (including an MCD, metro or MCC trip).
If you travel from Prigorod Zone, a single trip at the Wallet Troika rate will cost RUB 45 in 2019 The price includes an MCD trip and free transfer to the metro and MCC.
For trips from a Dalnyaya zone station, the cost will have two components: a valid commuter train ticket (RUB 23 for one zone to the MCD boundary) and RUB 45 more. In this case, passengers enjoy free transfer to the MCC, metro and MCD.
If you need to use the metro or MCC before taking a MCD train, you will not pay fare once again.
Free transfers will be available within 90 minutes from the moment of the first ticket validation on the turnstile or the validator, the same as with the MCC. For a free transfer, tap your Troika Travel Card on the validator on a turnstile while exiting an MCD station. You can't get free transfer without ticket validation at the entrance and exit.
Also, you may pay the MCD fare by valid commuter train tickets, but in this case you will have to pay to transfer to the metro and MCC.
— Central Zone for trips inside Moscow (within the boundaries of Mark — Setun and Volokolamskaya — Ostafyevo stations);
— Prigorod Zone for trips outside Mark — Setun and Volokolamskaya — Ostafyevo stations and to the MCD terminal stations Odintsovo — Lobnya and Nakhabino — Podolsk.
— Dalnyaya Zone for trips outside the MCD.
The same as with the MCC, Central Zone will be integrated into the unified Moscow tariff zone, with the travel fare for the price of a one-trip metro ticket at the Wallet Troika tariff and a free transfer between the metro, MCC and MCD provided. So, if you travel on the MCD inside Moscow, with Troika Travel Card it will cost RUB 38 (including an MCD, metro or MCC trip).
If you travel from Prigorod Zone, a single trip at the Wallet Troika rate will cost RUB 45 in 2019 The price includes an MCD trip and free transfer to the metro and MCC.
For trips from a Dalnyaya zone station, the cost will have two components: a valid commuter train ticket (RUB 23 for one zone to the MCD boundary) and RUB 45 more. In this case, passengers enjoy free transfer to the MCC, metro and MCD.
If you need to use the metro or MCC before taking a MCD train, you will not pay fare once again.
Free transfers will be available within 90 minutes from the moment of the first ticket validation on the turnstile or the validator, the same as with the MCC. For a free transfer, tap your Troika Travel Card on the validator on a turnstile while exiting an MCD station. You can't get free transfer without ticket validation at the entrance and exit.
Also, you may pay the MCD fare by valid commuter train tickets, but in this case you will have to pay to transfer to the metro and MCC.
Global experience
Similar transport lines have been already successfully implemented in other countries. Nearly all significant European cities have their railway infrastructure integrated with the metro. The examples are S-Bahn in Germany, RER in France, Overground in London.
Urban and suburban railway networks called S-Bahn can be found in many cities of Germany. Launched in Berlin in 1924, today it includes 16 lines totalling 331 km, 166 stations and transports about 430 million passenger per year.
RER rapid transit commuter trains connect Paris and its suburbs since 1969. The network includes five lines with a total length of over 600 km and 257 stations. The passenger throughput is around 780 million people per year.
London Overground, the urban and suburban railway network covering Greater London and Hertfordshire, was launched in 2007. Today it includes 112 stations and transports 190 million passengers per year.
RER rapid transit commuter trains connect Paris and its suburbs since 1969. The network includes five lines with a total length of over 600 km and 257 stations. The passenger throughput is around 780 million people per year.
London Overground, the urban and suburban railway network covering Greater London and Hertfordshire, was launched in 2007. Today it includes 112 stations and transports 190 million passengers per year.