Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, and Moscow Mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, officially opened on November 21, the capital’s central diameters lines which have a total length of 132 km, linking Moscow to the Moscow Region. Russian Railways CEO, Oleg Belozerov, and Moscow Region Governor, Andrei Vorobyov, also attended to the opening ceremony.
The two lines are served by 57 stations of which 19 stations are connected to metro lines, the Moscow Central Circle (MCC) and radial railway lines.
After lines’ extension, the two lines will have 66 stations, 27 of them providing transfer to the metro, Moscow Central Circle and radial railway lines.
The first central diameter (MCD-1), from Belorussko to Savelovsky, runs for 52 km between Odintsovo and Lobnya, providing north-west connection. It will improve transport services for four million residents of Moscow and the Moscow region. MCD-1 has 28 stations with 12 transfers to metro stations, two Moscow Central Circle stations and six stations of the radial directions of Moscow Railway.
The second diameter (MCD-2), with a length of 80 km, offers transport links between Kursko and Rizhsky, connecting Nakhabino with Podolsk. The line starts from city’s north western area to the south part. It has 38 stations, with 2 transfer stations to metro stations, 2 MCC stations, and 6 transfers to stations of the radial directions of the Moscow Railways.
The two lines are operated by 39 seven-car Ivolga trains manufactured by Transmashholding. The Ivolga trains for MCD are configurated into two versions: with six cars and seven cars. The seven-car Ivolga has a capacity for over 2,000 passengers. Around 2,500 interior and exterior CCTV cameras provide passengers safety and help the driver to control the boarding and monitor the train’s condition. The driver’s condition is monitored with the help of a smart electronic bracelet, that works as a fitness tracker. This wrist-worn device will read the driver’s biological parameters. If a driver starts to fall asleep or gets sick, the system will give a warning beep, with an indicator lighting up on the control panel.
The train boast comfortable seats and handrails, wide aisles and non-vestibuled cabins, bicycle and stroller racks, climate control system, modern WCs, free Wi-Fi and USB sockets. 39 trains are able to charge around 12,000 gadgets at the same time.
The two lines are expected to carry 334 million people. Troika Travel Card will be used for payment, which will be split into three tariff zones. Thanks to the new tariffs with free transfers, passengers are to save up to 50% of travel costs, with Moscow region residents saving up to 75%.
In the future, Moscow intends to open another three MCDs, forming a RER-style railway network comprising 5 lines. Other diameters are expected to open, with routes to link Zelenograd and Ramenskoye (MCD-3), Aprelevka and Zheleznodorozhny (MCD-4), and Domodedovo and Pushkino (MCD-5). Moscow Central Diameters will link different Moscow railway lines. With the new surface metro, passengers will cross Moscow in 40 minutes.
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