Moscow Metro has doubled its bank card payments and reached 100 million biometric trips – Identity Week

In a significant milestone for urban transport, passengers in Moscow have completed an impressive 100 million trips using biometric technology. The passenger who made the 100 millionth journey via this innovative payment service will receive 3 months of complimentary metro travel.

Maksim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport said: “We are actively advancing biometric technologies in urban transportation, enabling payment for trips without the need for cards or phones. The Russian payment service has proven its utmost security and reliability during its implementation. Currently operational in the metro, MCC, Aeroexpress, and river routes, we are planning to extend its functionality to surface transport and Moscow Central Diameters (MCD). In line with Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin’s directive, we will persist in integrating Russian-made digital services into public transportation to enhance passenger convenience”.

In light of the upcoming suspension of Samsung Pay in Russia, Maksim Liksutov assured Moscow Transport passengers that this change will not impact the existing fare payment system due to the wide array of payment options available for users.

“We offer the use of Russian technologies when paying for fares in Moscow Transport. We offer a wide range of travel payment services so that passengers can find the suitable one. We are among the world leaders in this respect. Payment by biometrics is already in operation, and in open test mode – via the Faster Payments Service (FPS). This year, the virtual Troika will be available to owners of any smartphone”, Liksutov continued.

Various payment methods are at commuters’ disposal, including:

• Payment via Mir Pay using an Android phone with a Mir card
• Use of any plastic bank card or bank sticker at all turnstiles and validators
• Biometric payment at all metro stations, MCC, and river transport
• Payment with a smartphone via FPS in open test mode at all metro, MCC, and river transport turnstiles
• Cash or bank card payments at ticket offices and vending machines
• Utilization of a Troika card, Muscovite card, or Unified ticket for 1-2 trips

Additionally, Moscow reports a remarkable increase in bank card payments at Moscow Metro and MCC turnstiles, with number of transactions more than doubling. Maksim Liksutov cited the current usage rate of approximately 900 thousand daily payments through this method, reflecting a substantial surge from the figures recorded in mid-March 2022 – there were roughly 426 thousand daily card transactions at the turnstiles.