Experts called Moscow’s urban transport payment system the best in Russia

The development of the transport framework of the Moscow agglomeration, one of the many undoubted achievements of the current city government team, is not limited to the construction and reconstruction of railways and roads and the development of a surface transport network.

From many points of view, it is also important to integrate the payment space, create a single and at the same time diverse tariff menu, which allows both to optimize the economy of urban transport and offer passengers new convenient solutions.

In 2013, Troika smart cards appeared in Moscow, which became a universal travel document. From the very beginning, they allowed both “flashing” several travel options onto the card, and simply storing funds on it, spending them on single trips (“Wallet” ticket). Over time, the possibility of integration with transport cards near Moscow (“Strelka”), remote replenishment and other useful functions were added.

As a result, at the moment, the Moscow transport tariff space is among the world leaders in terms of integration opportunities and the richness of the tariff menu. And in Russia – certainly the best, this is recognized by many experts.

“Nobody will argue with the fact that the Moscow ticketing system is the best in Russia,” notes Norayr Bludyan, a member of the Public Council of the Russian Ministry of Transport. “Its flexibility and adaptability to the changing needs of passengers allows for the rapid development and implementation of different ticketing solutions.

According to the expert, the flexibility of the system was clearly shown by the 2020-21 coronavirus pandemic. Then it was possible to quickly bind the QR code required for trips around the city to the Troikas, the transport worker recalled.

“It is significant that the Moscow “ticket” has long ceased to be only Moscow,” Bludyan emphasizes. – Today, the metropolitan system is represented in more than 25 regions of Russia and is available to over 30 million people across the country.

“Moscow’s urban transport is a modern and passenger-oriented system that ranks among the world’s flagships in many respects,” says Sabina Tsvetkova, Chairman of the Transport Commission of the Moscow Civic Chamber. – In Russia, the capital has no equal in terms of the quality and level of work of urban transport. The rail frame is constantly growing, metro passengers are transported by modern Moscow 2020 trains, new electric buses are appearing, and the world’s first year-round electric river transport has been launched.

According to Tsvetkova, the development of the transport system not only makes the life of Muscovites more comfortable, but also develops the city’s economy. For example, the mere opening of the Big Circle Line of the metro makes it possible to build entire microdistricts around new stations with residential buildings, commercial and social real estate. And these are hundreds of thousands of new jobs.

– It is worth noting separately the fares, which in the capital remain one of the lowest among the large cities of Russia, – Tsvetkova emphasized. – Since 2011, the cost of a monthly subscription for all types of transport in Moscow has increased by only 7%. For comparison, in St. Petersburg during the same time the price of such a subscription increased by 54%, and in Kazan – by 72%. Travel in Moscow remains the most accessible among large cities and for privileged categories of citizens – students and schoolchildren.

Thus, in recent years, Moscow has come much closer to the ideal solution of the transport problem. Citizens have the opportunity, without overpaying, to practically not pay attention to changing modes of transport and transfers, building for themselves the best routes around the city and evenly loading all modes of transport. And this means that all parties get an advantage at once: the city, carriers, and residents.