Over 38,000 people rode free on the Moscow Metro on the first day of the FIFA Confederations Cup

On the first day of the FIFA Confederations Cup, the Moscow Metro carried 38,300 fans, participants and volunteers free of charge. Fans had to pass through designated turnstiles and show their Fan ID card and a ticket for the match. On 18 June, Passenger Mobility Centre personnel, volunteers and metro security officers were on duty at all metro stations.

Over 40,000 people on their way to Spartak Stadium used public transport fare-free. About a thousand fans used the shuttles – the M3 (Aeroport metro station – Spartak Stadium), the M4 (Sheremetevo Airport – Spartak Stadium), the M7 (Domodedovskaya metro station – Domodedovo Airport). The routes included 59 buses.

On the night of 18 June, 19 surface transit routes offered extended hours until 3 am including free rides for fans. The number of passengers included 2,240 spectators, volunteers and persons accredited for the cup games. Over 300 passengers were given a lift by six taxi operators authorised to provide services during the Confederations Cup. In addition, 20 large capacity buses were set aside for those heading for Leningradsky railway station before public transit opening hours.

On the day of the first Moscow match, city transport ran smoothly, noted Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Moscow Mayor and head of the Moscow Department of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development. “The control headquarters of the Department of Transport were operational under the Situations Centre of the Integrated City Dispatch Centre. They were in charge of monitoring traffic and ensuring maximum vehicle access to Spartak Stadium which hosted the game. They were assisted by Road Patrol crews. There were no problems,” he added.

On football match days, shuttles run in designated transit lanes. The intervals between buses are two minutes for M3 buses, four minutes for M4 buses and 10-12 minutes for M7 buses. Blue buses feature the FIFA Confederations Cup emblems and decals saying “Free Ride.” Terminal stations on the route include information about the service. To use the free service, spectators need their Fan ID card and a ticket to the match.

The 19 surface routes link major transit hubs, and provide access to Spartak Stadium. They offer free rides for fans, volunteers and accredited FIFA representatives. Once again, fans need the Fan ID card and a ticket to the match (either paper or electronic). Accredited individuals will be issued special tickets for which they need to demonstrate their FIFA accreditation documents.

The Confederations Cup runs from 17 June through 2 July in four Russian cities – Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi and Kazan. The host stadium in Moscow is Spartak where three more matches will be  played. On 21 June, Russia will play Portugal, on 25 June Australia will compete with Chile and on 2 July the third place final will take place. On 18 June, a game between Chile and Cameroon was held.