2020, archive
METRO
1935 — 2022
1935 — 2022
Moscow's iron acceleration
On 15 May 1935, Moscow became the 24th city in history to receive a metro line. Today, the Moscow Metro is among the most used in the world, with over 8.5 million riders daily.
In the past eight years, the city's metro system has been developing at a spectacular pace and setting numerous records along the way
The first plans for an underground railway in Moscow were created in 1875, and at least five general metro plans were submitted through the early 20th century. Finally, a metro project was launched when it became obvious that trams were unable to cope with passenger traffic engulfing the capital of the young and boisterous Soviet Union. On 6 January 1931, near gridlock was recorded in the city, with all vehicles, including horse-drawn carts, grinding to a halt.
In 1931-1940, 24.25 kilometres of metro lines were laid and 22 stations built
In 1931-1940, 24.25 kilometres of metro lines were laid and 22 stations built
On 10 December 1931, seven workers started digging the frozen earth in a courtyard at 13 Rusakovskaya Street, where construction of the first experimental metro line began. A route was designed in 1932-1933, and construction sectors were prepared accordingly. Construction proceeded on a grand scale through 1934, with the city completing 90 percent of the metro's first phase. It was 11 kilometres long with 13 stations.
The metro opened 15 May 1935, with two routes: from Sokolniki to Park Kultury via central Moscow and from Sokolniki to the Okhotny Ryad and Smolenskaya stations, with 13 palatial stations. These routes paved the way for the future Sokolnicheskaya (No. 1) and Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya (No. 3) lines that later evolved into a huge web of 14 lines with 252 stations.
Workers continued to build the metro's third stage during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, laying over 13 kilometres of new lines with seven stations in the city's southern and eastern districts.
Workers continued to build the metro's third stage during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, laying over 13 kilometres of new lines with seven stations in the city's southern and eastern districts.
In 1941-1950, the Moscow Metro expanded by 19.66 kilometres, and 13 new stations were added
In 1941-1950, the Moscow Metro expanded by 19.66 kilometres, and 13 new stations were added
The Circle Line project was begun during the war, and the city started building the Novy Arbat radius shortly after Victory Day. The Circle Line was completed 14 March 1954. In 1951-1960, the city built 58 kilometres of metro lines and opened 31 stations.
In the 1960s, new radial lines connected the city's newly-built districts, including Cheryomushki, Kuntsevo, Nagatino and Kuzminki, with the Circle Line. The orange and purple Kaluzhskaya, now Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya, and Zhdanovskaya, now Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya, lines (Nos. 6 and 7) were built.
In the 1970s, metro lines continued to extend towards city outskirts and also linked up inside the Circle Line. Therefore several new diameters were created.
In the 1970s, metro lines continued to extend towards city outskirts and also linked up inside the Circle Line. Therefore several new diameters were created.
At that time, the city built 52.8 route-kilometres of track and opened 30 new stations. The metro expanded by 46.5 kilometres through the 1980s, and 28 new stations were added
At that time, the city built 52.8 route-kilometres of track and opened 30 new stations. The metro expanded by 46.5 kilometres through the 1980s, and 28 new stations were added
The 1970s and the 1980s were the most productive period in the Moscow Metro's Soviet-era history. In 1983, the new Serpukhovskaya Line, now Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya Line (No. 9), with eight stations, linked the Serpukhovskaya and Yuzhnaya stations. However, the 1985-1991 perestroika drive severely impacted the pace of construction.
Metro construction slowed dramatically in the difficult 1990s, with the city completing Soviet-era projects.
Metro construction slowed dramatically in the difficult 1990s, with the city completing Soviet-era projects.
In the 1990s, the metro expanded by 32.8 kilometres, and 19 new stations were opened
In the 1990s, the metro expanded by 32.8 kilometres, and 19 new stations were opened
Since the early 21st century, the metro was expanded beyond the Moscow Ring Road (MKAD), and the Butovo light-rail line was also launched. The Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya Line also expanded beyond the MKAD and extended into the Moscow Region for the first time in the metro's history. Myakinino was the first metro station in the Moscow Region. In 2000-2010, the city built 42 route-kilometres of new lines with 27 stations.
In 2012, the city passed an unprecedentedly ambitious metro-construction programme. The metro is reaching inside the remotest districts, and new interchange lines are being added. In the past seven years, metro stations have appeared in Brateyevo, Orekohovo-Borisovo and Troparyovo, as well as in the Novokosino and Vykhino-Zhulebino districts located beyond the MKAD and in the newly incorporated areas. New stations have opened in the city's northern, northeastern, northwestern and western districts. Many interchanges are now available outside the Circle Line, allowing riders to bypass central Moscow.
The metro carried 2.4 billion people last year
30%
the total length has increased 30 percent in the past eight years
over 120 km
From 2010 through early 2018, the city built over 120 kilometres of metro lines, plus MCC railway
66
66 metro and MCC stations
opened over the same period
opened over the same period
The 54-kilometre MCC that ushered in a new transport era throughout 2016 has 31 stations, provides seamless links with metro stations and operates Lastochka (Swallow) modern fast trains.
The first five Third Interchange Circuit stations opened in early 2018, with the legendary Circle Line losing its unique status.
The first five Third Interchange Circuit stations opened in early 2018, with the legendary Circle Line losing its unique status.
The first five Third Interchange Circuit stations opened in early 2018, with the legendary Circle Line losing its unique status.
The 69-kilometre Third Interchange Circuit, due to be completed by 2022, will have 31 stations, including 19 stations with links to other metro lines. The new line will merge 31 city districts.
The 69-kilometre Third Interchange Circuit, due to be completed by 2022, will have 31 stations, including 19 stations with links to other metro lines. The new line will merge 31 city districts.
The Third Interchange Circuit
31
stations and 69 kilometres of tracks
19
metro interchange stations
11
commuter-train platform interchanges
4
MCC interchanges
The city plans to build about 200 kilometres of metro lines in 2011-2020, opening an estimated 100 stations, including MCC stations
The Moscow Metro will have a total route-length of over 450 kilometres by 2022, with new metro stations appearing in almost every city district.
Over 12,000
trains on weekdays
41.61 kph
Average train speeds
90 seconds
Minimum service intervals
The metro employs over 54,000 people
425
Track length: 425 route-kilometres
14
underground metro lines link city districts
252
metro stations