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On May 15, 1935, a bold new chapter in Moscow’s history began underground. The city unveiled its first metro line — just 11.5 kilometres long, with 13 stations connecting Sokolniki to Park Kultury and Smolenskaya. Ninety years on, it stands as one of the world’s busiest, most beautiful, and technologically advanced metro networks.
Built in an astonishing 3.5 years, the Moscow Metro was more than a transport system then; it was a statement of Soviet ambition, marrying technical prowess with architectural grandeur.
In its first year of operation, the Moscow Metro averaged 177,000 trips per day. Passenger numbers were low at first as people were afraid to go underground, wary of the unfamiliar escalators and fast-moving trains.
Today, it carries over eight million passengers daily and stands as the global leader in punctuality (99.9 per cent), train frequency (as low as 90 seconds during peak hours), and fare payment diversity.
Over 90 per cent of Muscovites now live within walking distance of a rail-based station—up from just 72 per cent in 2010.
A symbol of stability
Even during the most challenging times in Moscow’s history, the metro continued to provide residents with stable and reliable transportation. It did not stop even during the Great Patriotic War, except for a single day — October 16, 1941.
The metro operated at full capacity in the challenging year of 2020 — during Covid — helping thousands of doctors reach medical facilities and supporting the city’s vital infrastructure.
The metro’s ongoing transformation is visible in its map: new lines like Nekrasovskaya, Solntsevskaya, the Moscow Central Circle (MCC), and the cutting-edge Troitskaya line have expanded access far beyond the traditional boundaries. The crowning achievement came in 2023 with the completion of the Big Circle Line (BCL) — the longest circular metro line on Earth, alleviating pressure on central stations and drastically improving mobility. The metro now has more than 14 lines.
The Moscow Metro is among the largest in the world in terms of network length and number of stations, and it is a global leader in construction pace. Since 2010, the number of stations has increased by over 1.6 times — from 182 to 302 metro and MCC stations.
By 2030, the metro will also add over 30 new stations.
A cultural icon
With nearly 50 stations listed as cultural heritage sites, the Moscow Metro is often dubbed the “underground palace”. Architectural grandeur — stained glass, marble columns, chandeliers — is matched with engineering innovation.
When the Moscow Metro opened in 1935 with just 13 stations, it was hailed as a triumph of Soviet ambition. The idea wasn’t merely to move people — but to inspire them. Stations were designed as “palaces for the people”, and they still evoke a sense of grandeur.
Take Komsomolskaya, with its golden chandeliers and triumphal mosaics. Or Mayakovskaya, whose sleek stainless-steel columns and futuristic ceiling panels once hosted World War II air raids and poetry readings.
The metro is also a cultural platform, hosting themed trains, concerts, performances, tours, and exhibitions.
A lifeline for citizens and the economy
Furthermore, behind each tunnel and turnstile lies an economic network that spans the country. From Ural granite to escalators crafted in St. Petersburg and train cars assembled across Russian manufacturing hubs, the Moscow Metro supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and entire industries.
The metro is the backbone of a unified system that includes buses, trams, and the MCD commuter lines. With a seamless ticketing and navigation network, it links Moscow’s diverse neighborhoods and modern urban landmarks into one connected, smart city.
In 2019, the Unified Dispatch Center was launched, allowing real-time coordination across all city rail networks. From jointless tracks that reduce vibration to energy-efficient lighting and digital escalator controls, the metro is a living lab of innovation.
Safety is also paramount. The metro employs a dedicated Security Service alongside national forces. It’s one of the safest places in the city —and one of the cleanest in the world.
The metro’s growth has not only eased congestion — it has catalysed the evolution of entire neighborhoods. Former industrial zones now bustle with homes, businesses, and parks, attracting small and medium enterprises while boosting tax revenue and employment.
On the digital track to the future
The metro is a key testing ground for innovation. Since 2014, a unified digital navigation system has guided passengers across all modes of city transit. By 2024, digital stations integrated this with real-time updates and adaptive signage.
The Metro Moscow app, launched in 2017 and downloaded nearly 16 million times, is now essential to daily commuting. The chatbot Alexandra provides 24/7 support, while the Moscow Metro app offers real-time info, lets users top up Troika and Muscovite cards, connect biometrics, issue a virtual Troika, and plan routes.
In 2021, Moscow became the first city in the world to fully implement facial recognition fare payment. More than 400,000 users are now registered, and daily use exceeds 160,000 scans.
In 2023, it became the first Russian entity to pilot the digital ruble — the third form of national currency. Beyond cash and card payments, passengers will soon be able to pay with digital rubles.
In January 2025, Russia’s first smart contract for insuring driverless trams was signed. It ensures transparency, traceability, and minimises human error throughout the process.
As it races toward its centenary with new stations, smarter systems, and bolder ambitions, the Moscow Metro remains not just a marvel of the past, but a dynamic symbol of the future — one that continues to move millions, both literally and figuratively.
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Planning to visit Moscow soon? Here’s how to explore the metro like a local
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When to go: For the quietest and most contemplative experience, avoid weekday rush hours between 8–10am and 5–7pm. Early mornings on weekends are ideal for uninterrupted photo ops and relaxed exploration.
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How to explore: Begin your journey at Ploshchad Revolyutsii, then trace the Circle Line (Line 5) — a loop of architectural marvels. Make stops at Novoslobodskaya (stained-glass serenity), Taganskaya (elegant blue majolica), and Prospekt Mira (botanical reliefs and marble sophistication).
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Hidden gems: Seek out lesser-known stations like Fonvizinskaya, a modernist nod to constructivism, and Aeroport, an aviation-themed Art Deco standout.
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Tips: Download the Metro Moscow app for offline maps, real-time updates, and route planning. Keep an eye out for themed trains, which often double as moving exhibitions of art, history, or culture.
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Moscow Metro: Fun facts
- Opening date: May 15, 1935
- First line: Sokolniki to Park Kultury with a branch to Smolenskaya (13 stations, 11.5 km)
- Current scale (2025): 302 stations across metro and MCC
- Daily ridership: More than 8 million passengers
- Lines added since 2010: Nekrasovskaya, Solntsevskaya, Troitskaya, MCC, and BCL
- Percentage of residents within walking distance: 90 per cent (up from 72 per cent in 2010)
- On-time performance: 99.9 per cent
- Train frequency: Every 90 seconds during peak hours
- Cashless payments: 91.2 per cent of transactions
Notable firsts:
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First full-scale facial recognition fare system (2021)
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First metro in Russia to test digital ruble (2023)
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First smart contract insurance for driverless trams (2025)
Awards for Metro Moscow App:
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2021: AVA Digital Awards, Platinum (Government App)
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2022: RB Digital Awards (Logistics and Transport)
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2024: Golden App Award (Travel and Transport)
