Category: Moscow Metro

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Moscow, 2026 – A themed train dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the founding of the State Academic Bolshoi Theater of Russia has begun operating on the Moscow Metro. The train will operate on the Circle Line for six months.

The new train has become a true chronicle of the country's main stage. The exhibits housed in the carriages introduce passengers to the theater's history, its prominent figures, and its contemporary development.

Passengers will be able to:

Learn about the history of the Bolshoi Theatre's founding; meet legendary artists, directors, conductors, and choreographers through archival photographs; read about iconic productions from the current repertoire; take a look behind the scenes and learn about the intricacies of theatre life; and see how the theatre is developing today, including the changes of recent years.

"I congratulate the Bolshoi Theatre company on its 250th anniversary—a significant milestone not only for the capital but for the entire country. Along with the Moscow Metro, which has served Muscovites and visitors for over 90 years, the Bolshoi Theatre remains one of the city's most important symbols. To mark the anniversary, we launched a themed train, which will run on the Circle Line for six months. I am confident it will become a true ambassador for the Bolshoi Theatre in the metro and allow millions of passengers to rediscover its rich history. We are implementing cultural and educational projects in line with the objectives of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin," noted Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry.

"We are proud to operate in Moscow, one of the most dynamic cities in the world. Our collaboration with the Moscow Government is yielding tangible results. Today, we are jointly launching a train dedicated to the Bolshoi Theatre, and we hope it will be a pleasant and unexpected gift for Moscow Metro passengers.

"We strive to enrich the capital's cultural life: our program is becoming increasingly rich and diverse. The culmination of the Bolshoi Theatre's 250th anniversary celebrations is scheduled for December—we will mark this anniversary with particular grandeur," emphasized Valery Gergiev, General Director of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia.

The project was implemented by the Moscow Metro in collaboration with the Bolshoi Theatre as part of the development of cultural and educational initiatives in urban transport.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

The Moscow Metro is expanding its unique urban initiative: hosting official wedding ceremonies at the iconic Mayakovskaya station. Today, for the first time, media representatives were given a rare behind-the-scenes look at how this everyday transit space transforms after hours into an elegant venue for one of life's most meaningful moments.

After the station closes to passengers for the night, its platform is reimagined as a formal setting for civil marriage registrations. Preparing for these ceremonies requires seamless coordination among specialists: within just a few hours, the space is completely reconfigured to create an atmosphere of grandeur and intimacy. While this transformation typically goes unseen by commuters, it is essential to the success of each event.

“This is already the 106th wedding ceremony held at Mayakovskaya Metro Station,” said Maksim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industrial Development. “This format requires dedicated preparation: for several hours, the station's layout is adjusted to create a dignified setting for marriage registration. This work usually remains invisible to passengers, yet it is precisely what allows the ceremony to unfold in such a distinctive and memorable atmosphere.”

Couples wishing to exchange vows at Mayakovskaya must apply in person at Palace of Marriage Registration No. 1. Due to the venue's symbolic appeal and limited availability, bookings are scheduled well in advance.

Mayakovskaya remains one of Moscow's most sought-after locations for off-site civil wedding registrations. Its celebrated architecture—featuring soaring arches, marble columns, and vintage chandeliers—combined with its historic ambiance, makes each ceremony truly unforgettable.

“Mayakovskaya Metro Station has traditionally enjoyed special popularity among Moscow newlyweds,” said Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor for Social Development. “Wedding ceremonies at this venue have become one of the city's most beautiful and unconventional traditions. In the early hours of March 22, three couples were married here.”

The Moscow Metro plans to continue developing initiatives that not only enhance urban mobility but also open up public infrastructure to new forms of cultural expression and social connection—turning everyday spaces into places where life's most important moments can unfold.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Moscow, March 23, 2026 – The Moscow Metro continues to develop a unique urban project for holding wedding ceremonies at Mayakovskaya Station. Today, we were able to take a behind-the-scenes look at this unusual process and see how the familiar station space, after closing to passengers, is transformed into an elegant venue for one of life's most important events.

At night, the Mayakovskaya station platform becomes the venue for official marriage registrations. Preparations for the ceremonies require the coordinated work of specialists: within a few hours, the station space is transformed, creating an atmosphere of solemnity and comfort. This stage usually goes unnoticed by passengers, yet it plays a key role in organizing the event.

"This is the 106th wedding ceremony at Mayakovskaya metro station. This format requires special preparation: for several hours, the station space is transformed to create a venue for the wedding ceremony. This work usually goes unnoticed by passengers, but it allows for the ceremony to take place in a special setting," noted Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry.

To hold a wedding ceremony at Mayakovskaya station, future newlyweds must submit an application in person at Wedding Palace No. 1.

Mayakovskaya Station remains one of the most popular venues for off-site wedding ceremonies in the capital. Its unique architecture and atmosphere make these ceremonies truly memorable.

"Mayakovskaya metro station has traditionally been especially popular among Moscow's newlyweds. Wedding ceremonies at this location have already become one of the most beautiful and unusual city traditions. Three couples got married here on the night of March 22nd," said Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development.

The Moscow Metro will continue to develop projects that make the city's infrastructure not only convenient but also open to new forms of cultural and social life.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

For two and a half years now, Moscow has been implementing the international analytical project UrbanTransportData (the project’s web platform is available on the Internet at: http://urbantransportdata.ru/), which brings together leading global cities to work with open transportation data. The project aims to make urban transportation systems more convenient, predictable, and efficient for residents and visitors of megacities. The initiative and developer is the Moscow Transport Complex, which developed both the methodology and the digital service in-house, without the involvement of external contractors.

Not just about data, but also about people.

The UrbanTransportData project is based on the idea that quality transport policy is impossible without reliable, comparable, and regularly updated analytics. The project is aimed at transport agency managers and staff, experts and researchers, as well as students and urban transport enthusiasts from around the world.

The project team emphasizes that the goal of UrbanTransportData is not simply to collect statistics, but to help cities understand which solutions are truly effective and which require adjustment. To this end, they are creating convenient tools for comparing cities, identifying trends, and documenting innovations that have already proven effective in practice.

Three pillars of UrbanTransportData

The project is built around three key components: a data aggregation system, a news portal, and a research knowledge base. The first two are already fully available on the project's web platform.

As part of data aggregation, systematic collection and comparison of indicators related to urban transport, from infrastructure indicators to passenger flow, is carried out.

The news portal covers the latest changes in the transport systems of participating cities, new projects, and technological solutions, providing an up-to-date picture of the industry.

The knowledge and research base will include thematic reviews and results of joint work, as well as professional Q

32 participating cities.

The UrbanTransportData project already connects 32 cities across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, including recognized regional leaders in urban transportation development such as Moscow, Beijing, and São Paulo. The project's broad geographic reach also includes African capitals, European cities, and other Latin American metropolises.

This diversity of participants allows us to compare not only megacities with millions of residents but also rapidly growing capitals of developing countries, identifying common problems and unique solutions. This approach offers participants the opportunity to share their own experiences and learn new approaches from cities with different layouts, climates, levels of car ownership, and socioeconomic situations.

Emphasis on methodology.

One of UrbanTransportData's distinctive features is its attention to methodological rigor. The project's team of analysts meticulously defines how key indicators should be calculated to ensure accurate comparisons of data from different cities. The data is collected across 50 indicators, covering several areas.

A separate section of the work focuses on standardizing approaches. For example, for the metro, it clarifies whether single-track or double-track kilometers, operational or maintenance tracks, and one or multiple operators are considered. When analyzing passenger traffic, it's important to determine whether all validations or only unique passengers are included, whether only entrances or also exits are recorded, and whether weekends are taken into account. This level of detail allows us to move beyond superficial comparisons and toward truly comparable data that can be used in strategic planning.

Well-thought-out planning.

The UrbanTransportData project is already in its infancy, creating a network of cities committed to building transport policies based on data rather than intuition. The project could potentially become a key international platform for determining how public transport and urban mobility will develop in the coming decades.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Testing of the train, based on the domestic "Moscow-2024" model, is being conducted without passengers. A driver is present in the cabin for monitoring and as required by law. During the tests, the specialist did not interfere with the system's operation even once, proving its reliability and safety.

The innovative train has already covered more than 1,000 km along the Big Circle Line.

Software for trains, infrastructure, scheduling, and dispatching was developed and supported by specialists from the Center for Research and Development of Unmanned Transport.

The software automatically accelerates and brakes the train smoothly, and also opens and closes doors at stations.

The system instantly sends a signal to the train about the appearance of foreign objects on the tracks.

The program also monitors movement intervals.

The technology will be tested in several stages. By the end of this year, the driverless train will begin regular passenger-free service along the Big Circle Line alongside other trains, adhering to the standard Moscow Metro intervals of 90 seconds during peak hours.

We plan to begin the first passenger trips in 2027, and launch the first driverless metro line by 2030.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Construction on the Troitskaya Line continues at full speed. In September 2024, we launched four stations: Tyutchevskaya, Generala Tyuleneva, Universitet Druzhby Narodov, and Novatorskaya. In December 2024, we opened three more: Kornilovskaya, Kommunarka, and Novomoskovskaya. In September 2025, we opened Vavilovskaya, Akademicheskaya, Krymskaya, and ZIL.

The depot will be built on a 26.7-hectare plot of land located between the Kaluga and Novomikhaylovskoye highways. The project will include 11 buildings.

The largest facility is an industrial and administrative block with an area of approximately 100,000 square meters. The country has never seen a complex of similar size and technological advancement. It will house:

1) administrative and household building;

2) blocks of industrial and utility rooms;

3) a motor depot for maintenance and repair of motor rail transport;

4) a repair building with workshops for operational maintenance and repair of rolling stock;

5) train washing area;

6) section for turning wheelsets of rolling stock.

The following will also be created:

1) 70 inspection trenches, which is 2 times more than the usual number;

2) a training ground for practical training of locomotive crews, where they will hone their train control skills;

3) an energy complex that will serve only the new depot. Construction of the depot is scheduled for completion in 2029.

Sergei Sobyanin announced that the capital has begun construction of the Troitskoye Depot, which will service trains on the Troitskaya Line currently under construction. The depot will be the largest and most innovative in the country.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

The capital's Department of Transportation has summarized the results of a major upgrade to the city's transit navigation system. Over the past year, specialists from the Metro Passenger Services Department have implemented a number of technological solutions designed to make traveling around the city more convenient for residents and tourists.

A key change was the first metro map design update in 11 years. The map's lines now have smoother outlines, visually expanding the space. For easier navigation, the map includes more than 30 parks, as well as recognizable architectural landmarks such as railway stations and the Moscow City skyscrapers.

In 2025, "neurovoice"—a speech synthesis system virtually indistinguishable from a live announcer—began operating on Moscow public transportation. The technology is already being tested on the Sokolnicheskaya Line and on a driverless tram. The main advantage of this new system is its ability to quickly broadcast urgent announcements in a familiar voice to passengers.

Moscow is actively adapting its infrastructure for foreign tourists: metro maps have been created in Chinese and Arabic. Station names have been translated with due regard for their meaning and transliteration. For example, "Park Kultury" means "park" in Chinese, while "Kuznetsky Most" is pronounced "Kuznitsky must" in Arabic. Paper maps are available at "Live Communication" kiosks, and electronic versions are available on the Unified Transport Portal.

Digitalization has also reached new stations: four stations on the Troitskaya Line (Vavilovskaya, Krymskaya, Akademicheskaya, and ZIL) immediately opened with digital navigation. The first digital transfer was created between the Akademicheskaya, Troitskaya, and Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya lines. The number of digital signs in the metro has more than doubled to over 130, allowing for remote information updates.

To improve navigation inside the cars, exit numbers at transfer hubs have been placed above the doors of Moscow-2020 and Moscow-2024 trains. This technology is currently in use on 100 trains on the Koltsevaya, Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya, and Troitskaya lines. Stickers requesting passengers to give up their seats have also been updated: pictograms have been replaced with friendly illustrations, with over 24,000 stickers replaced.

Changes have also affected ground transportation. All 37 tram routes have been equipped with new signs showing key streets and transfer points. Digital signs with online schedules and navigational flags have been installed on the Novospassky-ZIL river route.

During the closure of a section of the Sokolnicheskaya Line, floor-mounted color navigation was successfully tested at Salaryevo station, directing passengers to expansion buses.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

The Big Circle Line (BCL) has become an integral part of the Moscow metro's transportation system, cultural life, and daily comfort. The BCL is one of the most popular metro lines, with over 1.6 million trips taken daily.

Key facts:

🔹 Dozens of new routes and transfers, saving up to 45 minutes per day.

🔹 New transport links between districts.

🔹 Only modern Moscow 2020 compositions.

🔹 Innovative passenger services.

🔹 Digital navigation implemented for the first time.

🔹 Exhibitions, performances, events.

🔹 Unique architecture and advanced technologies.

"The Big Circle Line is an outstanding example of modern metro construction. It combines passenger comfort, cutting-edge technology, and enormous potential for the development of innovative transport projects. It was here that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin launched the official testing of Russia's first driverless metro train in January 2026. The train, based on the "Moscow-2024" model, is successfully operating on the Big Circle Line without passengers. A driver is currently in the cab to ensure test safety and as required by law. We plan to begin passenger service in 2027," said Maxim Liksutov.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

The Moscow Metro has unveiled Russia's first driverless train, equipped with an innovative machine vision system. This technology allows the train to "see" its surroundings in real time, ensuring the safest and smoothest possible ride.

According to Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport, the train is capable of detecting objects up to 200 meters away thanks to a lidar installed on the outside of the cabin.

Lidar scans the environment using a laser beam: the signal reflects off objects, returning to the sensor, and the system analyzes the reflection speed to determine the precise location of the objects. Built-in rotating sensors provide a 360-degree view, generating a 3D map of the route in real time.

All lidar data is instantly transmitted to the computing unit via a high-speed, secure communication channel. This allows the system to quickly respond to any changing situation and maintain a high level of traffic safety.

"The machine vision system is the foundation for safe, driverless driving. The solution was developed by specialists at the Moscow Center for Research and Development of Driverless Transport. The technology enables scanning of the route with an accuracy of up to 2 centimeters. In response to the instructions of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, we continue to develop driverless technologies and are ready to share our achievements with the regions," noted Maxim Liksutov.

The development of driverless solutions strengthens the Moscow Metro's leadership position as one of the most technologically advanced transport systems in the world.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

The first nighttime art session of the "Art in the Metro" project in 2026 took place at Shelepikha station. Ten artists from the third season worked directly on the tracks of the closed station, which will eventually become part of the Rublevo-Arkhangelskaya Line.

The creative session took place at night, strictly adhering to all safety requirements—the overhead rail was de-energized while the artists worked. Participants had a unique opportunity to take a fresh look at the metro's architecture and engineering infrastructure, transforming the technical space into an artistic workshop.

"In 2026, we held our first nighttime on-site session for artists from the third season of the 'Art in the Metro' project. This was the second time it was held at the closed Shelepikha station, which will eventually become part of the Rublevo-Arkhangelskaya Line. Such events allow us to take a fresh look at metro infrastructure and show residents a unique perspective. In line with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin's mandate, we continue to develop the Moscow Metro as a unique space for cultural initiatives," said Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor for Transport and Industry.

The Art in the Metro project is being implemented with the support of its general partner and operator, the Moscow Exhibition Halls Association.