Water routes: Moscow Main Archive tells the history of transportation on the Moskva River

River shipping in the capital has been gaining popularity since the 1920s. It was then that the first motor ships, which were called “river trams” by the citizens, appeared. In 1931, regular passenger traffic was arranged along the Moscow River.

Due to construction of the Moscow Canal, which connected the Moskva River with the Volga, the number of freight and passenger routes has increased. It could be possible to get to suburban areas or go to remote places, such as Rostov-on-Don, Astrakhan and other cities, from Moscow.

By the end of the 1940s, the motor ships were very technically outdated; modernization of river transport was necessary. For this purpose, the motor ship “Moskvich”, which has proven itself from the best side during operation, was designed in the capital. In total, for more than 30 years, about 500 motor ships of this type have been produced.

In 1953, the replenishment and modernization of the motor ships fleet continued. On June 26, the Moscow City Executive Committee orders to increase the level of service for transportation on the Moskva River. The management of public service enterprises, along with the gliding boat and ship shipyard, had to arrange the production of new types of motor ships and improve operation of the existing ones. To this end, four fitters from the Department of Automobile Repair Plants, an electric welder from the Moscow Tram Department, and a gas welder from the Moscow City Industrial Council were seconded.

Already by June 28, a new type of motor ship M-379 was manufactured and put into operation. Two more types of motor ships were reconstructed and repaired. Subsequently, highly qualified experts were engaged in the work in order to build ships of increased capacity - up to 75 passengers.

Ferry of passengers on motor boats was arranged across the river. As a result, Moscow residents got an opportunity to get to the desired places faster even during low-traffic hours.

Development of river shipping has led to an improvement in infrastructure. Four new landing stages were designed - places on the landing pier for boarding passengers. It enabled to reduce the time for dispatching motor ships. Also, for the convenience of passengers, there are four new bicycle parking areas with 100 places each near the beaches.