From E to Moscow-2020: how metro trains and train driver job have changed

The Moscow Metro is the world’s fastest growing and train upgrading subway system as since 2010 it has got more than 4,000 next-gen Russia-made cars, including Rusich, Oka, Moscow and Moscow-2020, which now make up 70 per cent of the fleet.

This could not but affect the drivers because now they can benefit from better training programs and driving simulators at the Moscow Transport Complex Corporate University. The drivers told the mos.ru team how their work has changed with introduction of new technologies.

Train as a gadget

The best part about having new-gen trains is their data rate and process control directly from the driver’s cab; for example, on board Moscow-2020, drivers have three touch screens displaying more than 500 train-specific parameters.

“The touch screen monitors in new cars can be compared with modern phones as they are intuitive like gadgets. Even if someone sees the driver’s cabin for the first time, he or she will be able to figure out within a few hours how to use the control system and open the doors. That is why it has become much easier to train drivers,” says Sergey Kutulov, Senior Instructor of the Rolling Stock Operations Department, who oversees the train depot and driver training.

In fact, the learning process has decreased from 6.5 to 4.5 months, which is also due to new technologies and program optimization. Before the course, all job candidates can see their future workplaces, look around the depot and have a ride with the train driver, this helping understand easily who does not fit the job before the program starts.

“Our Corporate University has all types of train simulators. So, during training the future drivers can thoroughly study not only the train control panel, but also emergency procedures. Computers display digitized real-life lines for students to see existing stations and metro lines with all their features, rather than something abstract. Now they can proceed to practice and start driving a real train sooner,” says Dmitry Dergobuzov, Chair of the Off-Road Transport Department at the Corporate University.

The simulators can simulate any emergency situations, such as humans falling on the track, fire, traffic light malfunction, etc.

Comfort for drivers and safety for passengers

Vitaly Konbekov has worked in the Moscow Metro for almost three decades. Over the years, he drove trains with E, Numbered and Rusich cars, and now he works on the latest Moscow train running along the Filyovskaya line, while in recent years the driver environment has improved dramatically, he highlights.

“The new trains have very good noise insulation and this makes our work much more comfortable. Also, everything in the cabin is arranged wisely, with a fully-featured control system, whereas in case of the old trains, the driver sometimes had to guess what happened, leave the cab and make a search, if the system signaled a malfunction. Now, without leaving the workplace, we can see what exactly happened and where, and then decide what is to be done,” says Vitaly Konbekov.

In 98 per cent of emergency situations, the driver does not leave the cabin as everything is done through the control display. If the driver suspects a malfunction in a particular car, he can remotely turn off the traction drive or compressor, lock the doors or even press the current collector that connects the train and the collector rail.

“If something happens in the car, passengers can contact the driver. And they are required to tell the car number; although it is shown right above the ETB device, not everyone knows that. In new cars, having received a signal from a passenger, the driver knows the car immediately and switches to the right camera to see what has happened. For example, in case of an incident in the car, the driver immediately reports this to the traffic controller, and the train will be met by emergency officers at the next station,” says Sergey Kutulov.

Another great advantage of the new trains is that they have become significantly safer, thanks to the anti-sleep automated alarm system. In particular, it monitors the driver’s state, if, for example, he is keeping his eyes closed for a long time; it activates an alarm signal in order to wake the driver up and also sends it to the situation room. The traffic controllers will immediately join the broadcast from the cab and the train will stop at the station in any case, if something happens to the driver.

The convenience and comfort of the new trains is also noted by Roman Digolar who has been a train driver for two years and drives trains along the Big Circle Line (BCL).

“I’m a driver of the latest Moscow-2020 train, and I really love my cab. I sit in my seat all the time, it’s really comfortable. It can be adjusted by various parameters, such as height, angle or backrest position, not to say about seat heating. And we’ve got a cool innovation-backlighting. When the train is running through the tunnel, the light in the driver’s cab is turned off for the driver to see the tracks; the system also illuminates buttons and devices, which is very good, too. In the cab, I can even warm up or cool down my drink. The controller in the new trains is also smooth and convenient, so you can drive the train without making physical efforts,” says Roman Digolar.

The longest metro circle

On the Big Circle Line, which fully opened to passengers on March 1, the newest Moscow-2020 trains are driven by about 500 drivers. They have taken a standard 4.5-month training course and have practiced at the train depot for three months to carefully scrutinize the BCL, all descents, ascents, curved sections and other features, says Dmitry Dergobuzov.

Incidentally, the BCL has some advantages for drivers compared to other lines; for example, all of its tunnels are illuminated, and traffic is regulated not by regular metro traffic lights, but by the automated train signaling system with automatic speed regulation system (known as ALS-ARS).

“ALS checks whether the track is clear and transmits information about this to the monitor in the driver’s cab. If it signals that the permissible speed must be reduced, the driver will slow down or stop the train. If the train goes over the speed limit, the system will automatically switch to braking. This makes our work easier and helps avoid distractions,” explains Roman Digolar.

How to get a job in the Moscow Metro

About 30,000 new jobs have been created in the Moscow Metro over the past ten years; today it employs more than 68,000 employees, with more and more young people being hired in recent years, says Sergey Kutulov. According to him, most of all future drivers are attracted by stability, career prospects and the opportunity to drive Moscow-2020 trains.

The Moscow Metro has 8,000 job openings. More details about employment are available in the recruitment centers at Vystavochnaya, Cherkizovskaya (ground lobby) and Nagornaya (6/bld. 1 Krivorozhskaya Street) stations and also at the Corporate University (93 Varshavskoe Motorway). They are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a. m. until 8:00 p. m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a. m. until 3:00 p. m.

Those wishing to work in the metro can send their CVs at rabota@mosmetro.ru. Information about job openings is also available by phone: +7 (495) 622-22-22 (Moscow and Moscow Region) and +7 (800) 220-22-02 (other Russian regions). The agent will tell you about vacancies and take an initial job interview. Up-to-date career information can also be found on the website at and with the chatbot Aleksandra.