Paying Public Transport Fares with Bank Cards in Moscow's Metro and Central Ring – A Convenient Evolution
Public Transit Systems Metro and MCC Record Over One Billion Trips Collectively
Over the last decade, there's been a noticeable shift in how citizens and tourists pay for travel on Moscow's metro and Central Ring. According to Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry, bank card taps reached an astonishing 1.1 billion instances since the method's introduction in 2015.
This innovative payment method offers passengers a host of benefits, primarily convenience and time-saving as they no longer have to carry cash. Bank card users can also effortlessly manage their balances and monitor expenses using their bank's mobile app. By 2023, Moscow aims to make this service available on all metro and Central Ring turnstiles, as per Mayor Sergei Sobyanin's directive.
In an effort to maintain its global lead in public transport payment options, Moscow is collaborating with banks to enhance bank card payments, according to Liksutov. As of now, the metro has made a substantial leap in technology, boasting an impressive array of convenient and useful services. Approximately 90% of metro sales currently take place via non-cash methods. To further refine this service, over 4,500 new turnstiles and around 2,000 innovative ticket vending machines with additional features are slated for installation in the coming years.
It's crucial to acknowledge that the contactless payment system in Moscow is not without its challenges, particularly for foreign visitors subject to sanctions, which restrict the use of international credit cards, thereby limiting the acceptance of bank cards to Russian Mir cards for contactless payments.
While there are challenges, the benefits of this payment method are compelling:
- Convenience: Bank cards provide a hassle-free, cashless method of paying for public transport fares.
- Promoting the Cashless Economy: Encourages the adoption of digital payments and aligns with global trends of digital payment adoption.
- Transparency and Tracking: Facilitates easy financial management by allowing users to effortlessly track their transactions.
- Integration Across Networks: Enables seamless travel across different public transport systems, embracing a unified payment method for the metro and Central Ring.
Moscow's transition to bank card payments in its metro and Central Ring systems has significantly modernized commuting. The current limitations on international card usage for foreign visitors mean more accessible options are needed. Adopting bank card payments fosters a more efficient, traceable, and convenient travel experience, making it a valuable addition to commuting in Moscow.
The evolution of paying public transport fares in Moscow's metro and Central Ring has been streamlined with the emergence of bank card payments, making the process more convenient. This transition, promoted by banks, aligns with a wider shift towards digital, cashless economies and facilitates easier financial management for users.
To further promote convenience and foster seamless travel, it is essential for Moscow to address the limitations placed on international card usage for foreign visitors, thus enabling a broader base of travelers to benefit from this modern banking technology.
