Moscow’s MCD project allowed saving 2 billion Roubles
Launched in late 2019, the suburban metro has affected both commuters’ habits and finances.
According to Moscow’s Department of Transport, passengers of the MCD (suburban on-ground metro) saved in total more than 2 billion Rubles (~27 million USD) since the launch of the project. The MCD lines are fully integrated into Moscow transport, including ticketing technologies, which allows commuters to change to Metro and MCC free of charge within 90 minutes with their Troika card. Previously, commuters had to buy special suburban tickets separate from Moscow Transport’s system.
«By implementing such projects, we create not only comfortable and modern, but also affordable transport for our residents. Now the passenger of the MCD can save up to 75% of travel expenses. This is an important change that has affected the budget of millions of families. The total savings of the passengers of the MCD amount to more than 2 billion Rubles. And thanks to the completely new rolling stock on both diameters, the trips themselves are the most comfortable way to travel in the Moscow agglomeration,» — said Deputy Mayor for Transport Maxim Liksutov.
The Department notes that financial advantages, as well as time savings, are the reason why many drivers abandon their cars. Previously, the transport authority reported that, after the new MCD stations were opened in 2020, congestion reduced by 2.5 thousand drivers per day. In particular, more than 13% of passengers of the three new stations (Slavyanskiy Bulvar, Kuryanovo, Ostafyevo) are habitual car drivers.
Moscow Central Diameters (MCD) are new surface Metro lines launched in November 2019. The new transport is completely integrated in Moscow’s transport system, including ticketing, design and quality standards. As for today, two lines have been launched. D1 Line linked cities of Odintsovo and Lobnya, D2 Line — Nakhabino and Podolsk through the centre of Moscow. By 2025, three more lines are expected to open.
