2020, archive
The 85th anniversary of the Moscow Metro
On 15 May 1935 Moscow became the 24th city in the world with metro service. Today the Moscow Metro is among the most used and comprehensive transit systems in the world.
The 85th anniversary of the Moscow Metro
On 15 May 1935 Moscow became the 24th city in the world with metro service. Today the Moscow Metro is among the most used and comprehensive transit systems in the world.
The Moscow Metro carries more passengers than any other metro system in Europe and second most in the world. It is among the top ten longest subway systems and also ranks at the top in train frequency, schedule accuracy and ticketing options.
The Moscow Metro carries more passengers than any other metro system in Europe and second most in the world. It is among the top ten longest subway systems and also ranks at the top in train frequency, schedule accuracy and ticketing options.
The metro's anniversary is a cause for celebration for every Muscovite. It employs tens of thousands of people. Without the metro, it would be impossible to develop the city or to maintain the fast pace of city life.
History
1875–1934
The idea to launch an underground railway in Moscow came up 50 years before its realisation. At least five proposals to build a metro were presented after 1875.
However, construction began only when it became clear that trams were not enough for passengers who enthusiastically wanted to travel around the capital of the young Soviet country: on 6 January 1931 a strong snowstorm froze the entire Moscow transport, including taxis.
However, construction began only when it became clear that trams were not enough for passengers who enthusiastically wanted to travel around the capital of the young Soviet country: on 6 January 1931 a strong snowstorm froze the entire Moscow transport, including taxis.
Over the first decade, 24.25 kilometres of track and 22 stations were built
Over the first decade, 24.25 kilometres of track and 22 stations were built
On 10 December 1931, seven workers walked into the courtyard at 13, Rusakovskaya Street, and stabbed their shovels into the frozen ground. So construction of the first test section of the metro began. In 1932-1933, tracks were designed and sections were prepared for construction. The work had reached full speed in 1934, as 90 percent of phase one was finished, with over 11 kilometres of track and 13 stations.
1935–1950
The metro opened on 15 May 1935. Service began on two routes: Sokolniki through the city centre to Park Kultury station and a branch line to Smolenskaya via Okhotny Ryad station. The new line had 13 palace-like stations.
These routes later became the Sokolnicheskaya and Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya lines (lines 1 and 3), which gave rise to an eventual giant underground railway web.
The ride from Sokolniki to either Park Kultury or Smolenskaya took 21.5 minutes, while the same trip on a tram took over two hours.
These routes later became the Sokolnicheskaya and Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya lines (lines 1 and 3), which gave rise to an eventual giant underground railway web.
The ride from Sokolniki to either Park Kultury or Smolenskaya took 21.5 minutes, while the same trip on a tram took over two hours.
In 1941-1950 the Moscow Metro grew 19.66 km with 13 stations
In 1941-1950 the Moscow Metro grew 19.66 km with 13 stations
The second phase of the metro was completed in September 1938. It included the Pokrovskaya line with Ploshchad Revolyutsii and Kurskaya stations as well as the 9.5-kilometre Gorkovsky line (part of today's Zamoskvoretskaya Line, or Line 2) with Ploshchad Sverdlova (Teatralnaya), Mayakovskaya, Belorusskaya, Dinamo, Aeroport and Sokol stations.
World War II did not stop the metro; they continued with the third phase of construction. The metro went to the south and east of the centre of Moscow. During the war, over 13 km of track and seven stations were built.
World War II did not stop the metro; they continued with the third phase of construction. The metro went to the south and east of the centre of Moscow. During the war, over 13 km of track and seven stations were built.
1950–2000
Construction of the Circle Line began during the war. The Novoarbatsky section opened soon after the Victory. The Circle Line was completed on 14 March 1954. In 1951-1960, 58 km of tracks were laid, and 31 stations added.
In the 1960s, new lines connected new remote districts such as Cheryomushki, Kuntsevo, Nagatino and Kuzminki with the centre. Kaluzhskaya and Zhdanovskaya (today's Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya), now lines 6 and 7, were built.
In the 1960s, new lines connected new remote districts such as Cheryomushki, Kuntsevo, Nagatino and Kuzminki with the centre. Kaluzhskaya and Zhdanovskaya (today's Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya), now lines 6 and 7, were built.
During the 1970s, the metro continued to expand towards the edges of the city and also filled the space inside Circle Line: sections of lines were connected via the centre, thus creating several new cross-city alternatives.
In the 1970s, 52.8 km of new routes were laid and 30 stations opened, and the 1980s saw the system grow by 46.5 km and 28 stations
In the 1970s, 52.8 km of new routes were laid and 30 stations opened, and the 1980s saw the system grow by 46.5 km and 28 stations
The 1970s and the 1980s were the most productive in the Soviet-era for metro construction. In 1983, the new Serpukhovskaya Line (Line 9) with eight stations from Serpukhovskaya to Yuzhnaya was built from scratch. However, perestroika affected the speed of construction.
During the 1990s, metro projects were expedited. Projects launched during the USSR were completed. The northern section of the Serpukhovskaya Line from Savyolovskaya to Altufyevo stations as well as Lyublinskaya Line (Line 10) were finished.
During the 1990s, metro projects were expedited. Projects launched during the USSR were completed. The northern section of the Serpukhovskaya Line from Savyolovskaya to Altufyevo stations as well as Lyublinskaya Line (Line 10) were finished.
In the 2000s, 32.8 km and 19 stations were added
In the 2000s, 32.8 km and 19 stations were added
2000-2010
In the new century, metro lines crossed the Moscow Ring Road, the city's traditional boundaries, and the Butovskaya Line was launched.
Line 3 not only crossed the Moscow Ring Road but for the first time for the metro, ventured out into the region: Myakinino station became the first station in the Moscow Region. In 2000-2010, 42 route km of track and 27 stations were built.
Line 3 not only crossed the Moscow Ring Road but for the first time for the metro, ventured out into the region: Myakinino station became the first station in the Moscow Region. In 2000-2010, 42 route km of track and 27 stations were built.
An unusual project was implemented during this time. The Moscow monorail system opened in 2004 in northeastern Moscow connecting Timiryazevskaya metro station and VDNKh's northern entrance.
But soon the city transport network began to develop in a different way, and the monorail stopped being popular among Muscovites. The number of riders decreased about 15 percent. Now it operates in a tourist mode: one train every 30 minutes, but tourists are still interested in this form of transport, which includes a great view of VDNKh and Ostankino Television Tower.
But soon the city transport network began to develop in a different way, and the monorail stopped being popular among Muscovites. The number of riders decreased about 15 percent. Now it operates in a tourist mode: one train every 30 minutes, but tourists are still interested in this form of transport, which includes a great view of VDNKh and Ostankino Television Tower.
The Moscow Metro carries over 9 million passengers each day on weekdays
Steel acceleration
In 2012, Moscow launched an unprecedented metro construction programme. The metro reaches the most remote districts and gets two new rings
In 2012, Moscow launched an unprecedented metro construction programme. The metro reaches the most remote districts and gets two new rings
- carriages>6000
- trains daily>12500
- employees>60000
- carriages>6000
- trains daily>12500
- employees>60000
>6000
carriages
>12500
trains daily
>60000
employees
Over the course of the last nine years, the metro has been extended to Brateyevo, Ochakovo-Matveyevskoye, Solntsevo, Novo-Peredelkino, Khovrino, West Degunino and Beskudnikovo districts as well as to Novokosino, Vykhino-Zhulebino, Kosino-Ukhtomskoye and Nekrasovka districts outside the Moscow Ring Road and new Moscow areas: Rumyantsevo, Salaryevo, Sosenki, Vnukovo, Kommunarka and other districts.
The new stations have improved transit access to Orekhovo-Borisovo, Troparyovo-Nikulino, Ramenki, Butyrsky, Marfino, Levoberezhny and other districts. New change points were built outside the Circle Line, so it is easier to get around without going through the city centre.
The new stations have improved transit access to Orekhovo-Borisovo, Troparyovo-Nikulino, Ramenki, Butyrsky, Marfino, Levoberezhny and other districts. New change points were built outside the Circle Line, so it is easier to get around without going through the city centre.
2011 — 2020
The metro carried 2.5 billion passengers in 2019, more than any other transport system in Russia and equal to one third of the Earth's population
The metro carried 2.5 billion passengers in 2019, more than any other transport system in Russia and equal to one third of the Earth's population
50%
the route length of the metro system grew
>160
km
87
metro and Moscow Central Circle stations opened
4
million Muscovites now have metro access within walking distance of their homes
on 50%
the route length of the metro system grew
>160
km
87
metro and Moscow Central Circle stations opened
4
million Muscovites now have metro access within walking distance of their homes
New circles and diameter lines
New circles and diameter lines
A new transport era began in 2016 with the 54-kilometre Moscow Central Circle (MCC). This belt railway around the city has 31 stations and is integrated into the metro system. The surface railway uses technically advanced, fast Lastochka trains.
In 2018 the first section of perhaps the most ambitious metro project ever, the Big Circle Line, opened with six new stations. The original Circle Line will eventually have a bigger brother. The entire Big Circle Line is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. There will be 31 stations along 70 km of new underground track, including 19 with interchanges to other metro lines.
In 2018 the first section of perhaps the most ambitious metro project ever, the Big Circle Line, opened with six new stations. The original Circle Line will eventually have a bigger brother. The entire Big Circle Line is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. There will be 31 stations along 70 km of new underground track, including 19 with interchanges to other metro lines.
Big Circle Line
31
stations on 70 km of track
19
interchanges
11
interchanges to regional trains
4
interchanges with the MCC
Big Circle Line
31
stations on 70 km of track
19
interchanges
11
interchanges to regional trains
4
interchanges with the MCC
In 2019, Moscow launched yet another large rail project: the Moscow Central Diameters (MCD). The MCD, based on surface railway lines, offers new cross-city rail routes. The MCD will connect with the metro and regional rail routes through the city centre and will extend into the Moscow Region. The first two diameter lines were officially opened for service on 21 November, 2019. MCD 1, Belorussko-Savyolovsky, connects the Smolenskoye and Savyolovskoye lines (Odintsovo — Lobnya) and MCD 2, connects the Kurskoye and Rizhskoye lines (Nakhabino-Podolsk).
The total length of the first two diameters is 132 km, with 58 stations, including 19 with changes to the metro, the MCC and regional rail stations. The number of change points will grow to 27 and to 66 stations overall. The total length of the MCDs, MCC and the Moscow monorail system is 780 km and the number of stations is 333.
The total length of the first two diameters is 132 km, with 58 stations, including 19 with changes to the metro, the MCC and regional rail stations. The number of change points will grow to 27 and to 66 stations overall. The total length of the MCDs, MCC and the Moscow monorail system is 780 km and the number of stations is 333.
CSKA station, Big Circle Line.
Shelepikha station, Big Circle Line.
Petrovsky Park station, Big Circle Line.
2020-2023: 105 km of new track and 44 new stations
2020-2023: 105 km of new track and 44 new stations
By 2024, the total route length of the Moscow Metro and the MCC will be approximately 560 km, and the number of stations will reach 306. New metro stations will open in almost all Moscow districts. The MCD project, once fully integrated with the Moscow transport system, will account for another 450 km, so the total length of the metro and the railway system will exceed 1,000 km.
275
stations, 50% of them built in 2011-2020
648
km of track without the MCDs
15
metro lines connect city districts
15
km average trip length
90 seconds
between trains
41 km/h
average train speed
15 км
km average trip length
90 seconds
between trains
41 km/h
average train speed
Moscow's calling card
- The people that run and serve the Moscow Metro are its main asset. There are over 60,000 metro employees in 200 various jobs and professions.
The people that run and serve the Moscow Metro are its main asset. There are over 60,000 metro employees in 200 various jobs and professions.
The average age of a metro worker is 42, but over 18,000 are young people. Every third worker has a university degree. Every second worker has been working for the metro more than five years and about 6,500 more than 20 years.
Engine driver is the most popular job, followed by ticket cashier and security inspector.
The Moscow Metro has the second largest number of female workers in the world: over 21,000, or 36 percent; only 23.5 percent in London, 19 percent in Berlin and 11 percent in Brussels. Starting in 2021, women will be able to apply for another prestigious and well-paid job in the Moscow Metro: engine driver.
The Moscow Metro has the second largest number of female workers in the world: over 21,000, or 36 percent; only 23.5 percent in London, 19 percent in Berlin and 11 percent in Brussels. Starting in 2021, women will be able to apply for another prestigious and well-paid job in the Moscow Metro: engine driver.
The average age of a metro worker is 42, but over 18,000 are young people. Every third worker has a university degree. Every second worker has been working for the metro more than five years and about 6,500 more than 20 years.
Engine driver is the most popular job, followed by ticket cashier and security inspector.
The Moscow Metro has the second largest number of female workers in the world: over 21,000, or 36 percent; only 23.5 percent in London, 19 percent in Berlin and 11 percent in Brussels. Starting in 2021, women will be able to apply for another prestigious and well-paid job in the Moscow Metro: engine driver.
The Moscow Metro has the second largest number of female workers in the world: over 21,000, or 36 percent; only 23.5 percent in London, 19 percent in Berlin and 11 percent in Brussels. Starting in 2021, women will be able to apply for another prestigious and well-paid job in the Moscow Metro: engine driver.
The Moscow Metro provides top quality service to its passengers. The new Moskva new-generation trains have been delivered since 2017, with warm hand rails, USB chargers for mobile phones and electronic touch panels to build routes.
All metro trains have free Wi-Fi
The trademark application, Moscow Metro, can be used to build a route, top up a Troika card and learn interesting facts about stations.
The Moscow Metro offers more options for fare payment than any system in the world. Over 90 percent of passengers have a Troika travel card. In addition to a traditional card, the chips are available in keyrings, bracelets, rings, tokens, half-size cards for phone cases, and stickers. This year, Moscow's ticket system was recognised as the best in the world.
The Moscow Metro's information system offers unique of ways to reach passengers
These include sound notifications on platforms, text messages, social networks, the mobile app, the website and the Wi-Fi system.
Streaming on screens inside carriages is the latest source of information. They inform passengers about the metro's operation, including emergencies, as well as about the latest news in Moscow and the world. Important events can also be streamed. For example, in 2018, over 20 million passengers watched more than 60 FIFA World Cup matches online.
The metro and the MCC offer Live Help desks with friendly attendants
The metro and the MCC offer Live Help desks with friendly attendants
The Moscow Metro Passenger Mobility Centre was established in 2013 to help people with disabilities. Its specialists can accompany passengers during their entire trip from entering until leaving the metro, see them to their trains, bus stations and social services facilities and also help them find their way around the metro and the city.
Today's Moscow Metro is not just public transit, it is also a cultural space
The metro regularly runs themed trains. It hosts street performers with music and other performances, tours and exhibits. Every Muscovite knows the Music in the Metro project. In 2016, street musicians performed at three approved venues, but today the metro has over 30 designated public locations.
- entrance halls>370
- escalators>900
- traffic lights>5700
- entrance turnstiles>3700
- entrance halls>370
- escalators>900
- traffic lights>5700
- entrance turnstiles>3700
>370
entrance halls
>5700
traffic lights
>900
escalators
>3700
entrance turnstiles
The Moscow Metro is a gigantic underground city on its own and an essential part of Moscow. It is Moscow's calling card. Happy anniversary, Moscow Metro!