The Face Pay payment system has appeared in the Moscow Transport mobile app

This October, a new facial recognition payment system called Face Pay was launched in the Moscow Metro. It is now possible to pass through a turnstile at any metrostation quickly and without unnecessary movements, just by looking into the camera. To pay fare with a face, passengers have to register in the Moscow Metro mobile app. However, two months later, Moscow citizens and guests of the capital had more opportunities for contactless payment – the Face Pay appeared in the Moscow Transport (MT) mobile app. During the first day, about 1,000 MT users have paid fares using the Face Pay.

A passenger who wants to register in the facial recognition system through the Moscow Transport application needs to log in to his personal account with a phone number. Then select the Submit Biometrics section and link a bankcard. One can download the Moscow Transport mobile app in the App Store, Google Play and AppGallery. 

According to the Moscow Traffic Control Center, the use of Face Pay through the transport application is safe, since all personal data is protected. Facial biometrics cannot be stolen and used remotely. The convenience of a contactless system is obvious. No need to be distracted to get a phone or a travel card. During a rush hour, when queues accumulate at popular metro stations near the turnstiles, you can get through faster with the Face Pay. This is a kind of hands free for the passenger. This method is especially preferable during the pandemic. By the way, medical masks will not interfere with the facial recognition if at least 40% of it is open.

«Passengers can build multi-routes consisting of all types of transport in the Moscow Transport application. This is especially well combined with the new feature in the Face Pay, because if your route includes a metro ride, you will go through this segment faster and more conveniently without contacting surfaces or your smartphone when entering the metro», - said Sergey Lomtev, the Head of the Safe Transport Innovation Center.

Passengers also have noted the convenience of the service. We see a rapid increase in its popularity – since October 15 more than 160 thousand biometrics trips were made. They were made during a period of reduced mobility — so more turnstiles with the Face Pay were added. 

In the metro, the facial recognition system has already identified more than 2,520 citizens who are on the federal wanted list. 380 lost people were also found, including 89 children. 

By the way, the Face Pay is just one of the payment methods. The Moscow Transport application also has the ability to add the Troika transport card, the All-in-One transport ticket and a social card, depending on what is convenient for the user.