Moscow 2020

The state programme regarding the Transport Infrastructure Development 2012-2016 has been extended until 2020, at the request of Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.

According to the latest data, from 2011 to 2014, next to other transport infrastructure projects, 25 km of new metro lines were built and the main operator of the capital, Mosgortrans, replaced part of the rolling stock. Also, the authorities want to optimise the situation of transport, especially by building 130 km of metro line and launching transport services for Moscow’s Railway Belt.
“Transport problems remain an important point. For this reason, we have approved the transport development strategy and we have constantly approached these programme”, declared Mayor Sobyanin.
Objectives include increasing public transport by 23%, reducing the number of users per vehicle by 15%, reducing the average time of commuting by 15-20% and reducing freight traffic through Moscow by 20%.
The 2020 Strategy will require investment of RUB 4.4 Trillion (EUR 91 Billion), of which RUB 2.9 Trillion (EUR  60 Billion) will come from the local budget, RUB 178.3 Billion (EUR 3.7 Billion) will be allocated through the state budget and RUB 1.4 Trillion (EUR 29 Billion) will represent the contribution of private investors.
The entire sum will be used for the construction of new railways and metro stations, new railways and roads. Several programmes will be implemented including increasing the parking capacity, the construction of intermodal hubs and the extension of the cycling network (the construction of 300 km of cycling lanes and 18,000 parking facilities).
“We have to persuade residents to use more public transport and we have to achieve three objectives so that citizens would choose public transport: to form convenient, accessible, rapid and cheaper transit systems”, declared Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor and Head of the Department for Transport and Road Infrastructure Development. The development of the metro, tram and suburban railway transport system is an important objective of the authorities who try to implement programmes to increase attractiveness.
Currently, Moscow builds new tram lines, upgrades the existing lines and elaborates the construction project of a light metro system.

by Pamela Luică