Getting around Moscow

[ECR844]

Mendy,

Good idea to split this topic as I would be one of the many who disagree my current girlfriend who avoids the subway like the plague as I actually look forward to riding it as it provides some GREAT people watching opportunities.  Yes, when riding up and down those long escalators, and the pretty girl smiles at me going in the opposite direct I have more than once thought (I'm going in the wrong direction  ). 

The real question is how many times did you hop the 'wall' and go on up to her and say 'Hi!'

[mendeleyev]

Thanks for each comment and we'll continue to explore this fascinating city. Ecocks, having lived in the FSU yourself, I appreciate your compliments and also value your input too as you feel comfortable. 

So, no improvements over Kiev then?

Most Metro systems of the FSU were constructed and are managed on the same model, some just larger than others. The budget constraints in Ukraine has made it difficult for the government to keep up with lots of capital improvements, including the Kiev Metro.

[mendeleyev]

So you're looking for a place to spend a meaningful afternoon or evening together. Somewhere with wide open spaces, lots of room to walk, or spots to sit.

Perhaps you want to delve into and learn more about what makes Russians "tick" and experience a little of that mysterious "Russian soul."

I don't know about you, but in Mendeleyev's mind there are certain special places where one just must go for times of refreshment. There are a number of specific landmarks which bind me to Moscow more than all others. Those who know me well understand that my solitary haunts are places of history.

[mendeleyev]

As of May, the "Touring Moscow" series had grown to 25 pages with thousands of readers. So to make things more managable as a travel and touring resource to RUA readers we've split the topic into more "bite size" segments:

Touring Moscow, part 1: Metro & Transportation
http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?topic=9049.0


Touring Moscow, part 2: Arbat to Red Square
http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?topic=12015.0


Touring Moscow, part 3: Red Square & Kremlin
http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?topic=12016.0


We will add to each of the above, especially with new info on riding Moscow's Metro, buses, trolleys, trains, and taxi's.

Touring Moscow, part 4 is in development stages and coming soon. It will focus on leaving Red Square and touring more of some of the central parts of this magnificant city.

[mendeleyev]

Upon entering the Metro (meh-trroh) you might be greeted by ads.




Love for your country begins with love for your family.


You're never alone in the Metro. Of course there are masses of people in every station (usually), but behind the scenes there is a hard working crew dedicated to making the trains run smoothly, on-time and safely.





Metro specialists like this young lady are tasked with concerns regarding security and safety. This area is called the ситуационного центра or "Situations Center." As you can imagine, with 301.2 km (187.2 mi) of route length, 12 lines, and almost 200 stations with around 7 million passengers daily, there are plenty of medical and police emergencies to handle on a typical day.

The prospect of acts of Terror adds another concern to the job responsibilities of those in the Situations Centre.






Meanwhile down in the Command Centre, Metro Controllers run the trains not altogether unlike air traffic control at an airport. A lot is going on and split second decisions must be made especially where rider safety is at issue.

It takes over 35,000 employees to run such an amazing transportation system.





Every Metro employee is trained to help make the trains run and function as designed with rider safety as a top priority.

[mendeleyev]

Ever wonder what a dark Metro Тоннель (tunnel) looks like as you're zipping along at high speed? Let's try one that is new--without all the grease, oil, dirt and grime from years of use.

[mendeleyev]

Maintenance on the "wagons" is a never ending job. The Russian word for wagon is Вагон, "vagon."






The Moscow Metro is open from about 05:30 until 01:00 (the precise opening time varies at different stations according to the arrival of the first train, but all stations close for entrance simultaneously at 01:00). The system is closed overnight for maintenance from 01:00 to about 05:30.







The station controller at Измайловская (Izmaylovskaya) Station checks the electronic control panel.

[mendeleyev]

So, lets say you are part of the Metro management and you wish to announce a new station opening or new Metro feature. The easiest way to get the public talking is by inviting the press to a grand pre-opening or press conference.

As you can see below, journalists are suckers for anything free-including a free ride. Odds are that 70% of these guys don't know where they're headed. They're just following the 30% who do have a clue.  



(photo Art Koder, Metro)


Later at the scene you can tell that the broadcast and newspaper guys must still be scrounging around the free food tables. The press conference is on meantime and the TV camera guys are trying to figure out how to get an upshot of some babe's miniskirt while trying to make it look like they're covering the news from a unique angle.

Count on a pretty blonde to stand in front looking like she may come up with a serious question at some point. But (sigh), she is blonde, so there will be no serious questions today. Or ever.





Meanwhile back in the Situations Centre a puzzled Metro employee is watching the proceedings on closed circuit and asking herself, what the heck was that question all about?

[Olga_Mouse]

So, lets say you are part of the Metro management and you wish to announce a new station opening or new Metro feature. The easiest way to get the public talking is by inviting the press to a grand pre-opening or press conference.

As you can see below, journalists are suckers for anything free-including a free ride. Odds are that 70% of these guys don't know where they're headed. They're just following the 30% who do have a clue.  

Hey, that was not a new station opening - but the press ride in a "restored retro train"!  

I liked it soooo much - even touched the walls inside, when I entered one of these retro vagons for the first time... exactly the same as in my childhood (except for energy-saving lamps...)!

You can catch this retro train on my (red) line (see the second picture - taken on the steps of Парк Культуры - радиальная?), but only during daytime - metro administration is afraid of using that train at night, because vandals can damage the expensive seats, lamps and other stuff.

[mendeleyev]

Please notice that I didn't say it was a new station opening, because if it had been, rest assured that this thread would have mentioned the station and featured it.

What I did was to site examples (more than one as a matter of fact) of ways in which Metro management might invite members of local press to an event.

lets say you are part of the Metro management and you wish to announce a new station opening or new Metro feature. The easiest way to get the public talking is by inviting the press to a grand pre-opening or press conference

Hmm, even a ride in a restored/retro wagon would be a

Metro feature

now couldn't it?

[Voyager]

Hey, that was not a new station opening

Umm, Olga I think Mendy meant a new "station opening" which is correct, instead of a "new station" opening.   

In English we can have a "station opening" after renos, not only for new construction. 

[mendeleyev]

The Metro in Moscow continues to grow with line expansion, new stations, and modernization of rolling stock. This facilitates the need for new maps. Metro Management in June commissioned the Olimp Advertising Agency to design new maps and naturally the new maps are posted at stations and on Metro cars (wagons).

In the older Metro wagons there was ample space for posting things like maps. But the newer style of Rusich stock wagons which were first commissioned in 2003 and then updated beginning in July 2009, don't have the same amount of ample wall space.





New maps are posted on metro cars and this special transparent map is designed to fit on the windows of Rusich-stock trains. The transparent adhesives feature the typical Moscow metro map which is well seen when the train is in the tunnel and at the same time does not prevent passengers from seeing the station as they arrive.





Trivia Question: How many Metro maps are typically posted inside a Metro car?

Answer: Usually 3.

The Olimp Agency says that newer cars have been posted with 6 maps per wagon, twice more than usual.

[mendeleyev]

There is help in finding your way around the Metro. Signs today are more prominent and some of the stationary Информационная колонна (Information columns) have displays with English transliterations in addition to Russian.







A similar sign up close:



(photo: Art Koder, Metro RU)



Can you find the Russian terms for:

"Info"

"Microphone"

[mendeleyev]

Taking photos and video in the Moscow Metro:

Go for it! Amateur photography using non-professional cameras is permitted in the Moscow Metro and no permission is necessary.

Tourists generally have no trouble snapping photos as long as it does not disturb Metro operations. Once in a while stories circulate of tourists being asked by Metro police to cease, but most travelers never experience a problem.

Just in case you were wondering, there are some rules from Dmitry Gaev, head of Moscow metro regarding photos and video filming in the Moscow Metro:

- Technically, video filming is not permitted in Moscow metro unless authorized by metro administration. In reality a hand held camera used for a moment won't land you in jail, however given the recent issue of terror bombings, the Metro administration will fully back any officer who instructs you to cease, or takes a camera in order to check it for signs of terror planning, etc.


- There are criteria for what Metro management considers consumer cameras versus professional grade photo and video equipment. A stationary video camera or camera with a body height over 140mm and/or lens length over 100 mm is considered to be "professional" and a permit is required for use in the Moscow Metro.

Video filming and taking photographs using professional equipment requires signing a contract regarding use and copyrights and payment for the permit at any Moscow bank.

Filming of news events by credentialed members of the news media may be done free of charge provided their credentials have already been registered in the Metro Public Relations department.

So, exercise your ability to take a photo.

They are...






Quick Video tours of the Metro:

"Moscow in Your Pocket" has a one minute video on the metro, filmed at the Plaza of the Revolution station.

Here is a one minute video of a typical Metro arrival and departure:

Watch a departure from Sokolniki Station:

[mendeleyev]

Lost and Found:

What if you lose something while on the Metro? Any of us could be tired and absent minded, leaving behind a valued item only to later discover it's disappearance. Many items will simply go home with someone else, but if you don't mind a little effort you could try and see if your item has been turned in to the lost and found department.

The very first office was opened in a vestibule of Komsomolskaya station of Circle line on May 20, 1953. Since 1967 the "lost-and-found" office of Moscow metro has been housed in the vestibule of Universitet station (exit from the centre of the hall).

Universitet (Университе́т) is near Moscow State University for which it was named, located on the Metro's Sokolnicheskaya Line.



Universitet (Университе́т) photo: Andrey Volykhov

[mendeleyev]

Some of my first experiences in Moscow included a few remaining compact glass booths at some major street intersections. Instead of automated traffic lights, these Soviet leftovers allowed a local traffic officer to control the flow of traffic at the scene, based on the needs of the moment. On one occasion it appeared that a traffic jam might have been caused by a young controller who had been distracted by a group of miniskirt clad females who wanted to hang out and talk. Given the shouting of angry motorists and one finger salutes flung in the young man's direction, it seemed the summation might have been correct.

You can find similar glass control booths in Moscow Metro stations, at the bottom of those long escalators.



(photo: Art Lebedev, Metro RU)


It is the job of the person inside to monitor and control the flow of passengers moving up and down the escalators. I used to think these booths were designed for old babushkas to yell at young couples for "public display of affection" but Mrs Mendeleyeva says that I was wrong about that.  


Here is one of the best produced and coolest videos about the Moscow Metro. Even though only 2 minutes in length, you can see what the little old lady in the booth really does at the 1:31 mark in the video:

[WestCoast]

Mendy from your photos and the video one thing that strikes me as unusual is how clean the Moscow Metro is.  The London Tube or the Paris Metro (especially the Paris Metro) is not even close to being as clean as the Moscow Metro.   

[mendeleyev]

Good point. Of course the Metro management makes sure that a station is spotless before professional photography takes place, but as a matter of pride, Russians are very proud of the Metro and from childhood are trained to treat the Metro as a special place. Not that there isn't a certain amount of trash and grime in some stations at times, this national pride is obvious and is particularly amazing given the size of crowds and number of daily riders. 


The following video has long been one of my favourite's on the Metro. Watch what happens to the very pretty young lady!

[mendeleyev]

You'd consider working for the Moscow Metro?

Well the benefits are certainly plum. Take for example the summer camp for Metro employees and their families.





The Moscow Metro health camp is located in a pine forest 15 kms away from Moscow with a camp that features four three-story cottages able to provide accommodation for up to 64 persons. Every cottage consists of 16 double rooms equipped with satellite TV, telephones and refrigerators. Each cottage has a spacious loft with a glass ceiling and a place for playing chess and billiards.

Tennis courts with modern synthetic ground covering, basketball, volleyball and badminton grounds, a soccer football field with a stand for a hundred football fans are at the disposal of Moscow metro staff. There is a skating rink and a ski-track in winter.





The sports centre is equipped with a swimming pool, a complete array of exercise equipment, tables for playing tennis and billiards, and a gym. Entertainment programs are organized every evening so that family members can watch films, go to concerts, karaoke bars and discos, and take part in competitions and quizzes. There is a modern movie cinema in the health camp.

The restaurant of the health camp offers a wide range of delicious dishes. The bar in the restaurant is open from 12 p.m. till midnight. In summer the children of metro staff spend their holidays in the camp.





Heck, you wouldn't need a country dacha when you have service like this!

[mendeleyev]

The Mendeleyev Journal has attempted to find out from the "Careers" department at the Metro how someone from another country could gain employment with the Metro.

So far, we're drawing blanks. It seems that they're interested primarily in employing Russian citizens who speak impeccable Russian. That actually fits Russian employment law so it's hard to argue.

(Don't tell anyone, but the Metro could use some fluent English speakers in their PR department. Some Metro communications have the kind of common English mistakes that a native speaker would fix easily, however they're convinced that all is fine, and their opinion is the one which counts.)

If anything changes we'll let you know. 

[mendeleyev]

Common questions about the Moscow Metro:

Are there toilets in the Moscow metro?
   No, there are no toilets for passengers in the Moscow metro.


Who is responsible for giving names to new metro stations?
   According to Moscow city regulations there is a Moscow city committee in charge of giving names to streets and new metro stations.


Can I take photographs in metro?
   (I'm certain that they mean "May I take photos?" See a very recent post for the answer to this question. Also see the comments above about the PR department and the need for native English speakers.)


Does the Moscow Metro have a "lost and found" department?
   Yes. See a very recent post for the location to the Metro lost and found.


Is there a metro museum, and if so, where is it located?
   The Moscow metro museum occupies the first and the second floor of Sportivnaya station south vestibule (36, Khamovnichesky val).


Is it possible to travel with bicycles in metro?
   Moscow metro regulations prohibit transportation of bicycles or other means of transport, excepting wheelchairs and baby carriages. Bicycles can be carried as luggage when they are dismantled and packed.


May I use the Metro to move furniture and other large items like a piano, etc?
   Well some are old enough to remember when such did happen. But no, in fact HECK NO, you may not move a piano or other furniture on the Metro.


How do I use a smart card?
   To go through the turnstile, put the smart card to the card reader and pass when the green light is on. To pass through the turnstile with the same card again, you’ll need to wait 7 minutes.


Why would I have to wait 7 minutes to use the same card at that turnstile again?
   To discourage sharing that same card (often with "unlimited rides") with someone else.


What should I do if the smart card doesn’t work?
   If the smart card fails, try it again with the same turnstile. If it fails again, use a card reader in the station vestibule to check the card. If the card is valid, check with someone in the metro ticket cashiers office.


Can the smart cart be damaged?
   Of course. Smart cards should be handled with care. Don’t expose them to extreme temperatures, moisten, bend or keep near magnets.


What should I do if my smart card is damaged?
   Put your head between your legs and kiss your card goodbye. Okay, not really, we're just checking to see if you're paying attention. Seriously, if a card was damaged by the passenger, it can be restored and you will only have to pay for a new card and the number of trips left on the damaged card will be encoded to the new card. Once this card expires, passengers can give it back to metro ticket office and get the money for the smart card back.

(Did you understand that last explanation? We didn't...and we corrected several major grammar train wrecks in Metro's original--see the comments above about the PR department needing help with English--but we still don't "get it".)

[mendeleyev]

MOSCOW METRO RULES

The Moscow metro is the main public transport of the capital carrying over a half of all city passengers daily. Many metro stations and ticket halls represent historical, cultural and architectural monuments and are protected by the government. Metro is a risk-prone transport enterprise, therefore passengers must conform to its rules.


Entrance and payment
Metro stations are open for passengers daily from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. It’s a violation to carry bulky luggage, firearm/weapons, bicycles, items that may damage other passengers; animals and birds without special containers or cages.

Passengers must pay the fare every time they enter metro. Make sure you buy a special luggage ticket to carry big items. Children under 7 can travel gratis; luggage under 150 sm. in size, sports equipment (skis, skates, roller-skates, snowboard, children’s bicycles etc) in protective cover, musical instruments, baby carriages and hand-carts can be transported free of charge.


On the Metro
Never smoke, drink alcoholic beverages or be in a state of intoxication in the premises of Moscow metro. Avoid blocking passenger movement or dropping litter. Never damage metro constructions, tracks, equipment or rolling stock. It’s a violation to ride a bicycle, wear roller skates, use skateboard or similar means of sports transport to move about metro. Professional filming and photography can be done only after obtaining a special permission from metro authorities. Amateur photography (without professional or stationery equipment) is allowed.


Courtesy to others
On escalators: stand on the right side, pass on the left side holding the hand-rail; stand behind the protective strip, never lean against motionless parts. If you are with a child, hold hands. Never sit or place objects on the stairs of escalators, run along them or walk on an idle escalator without metro workers’ permission, never use escalator switch with the sign «Stop».
  
On platforms: stand away from the platform edge before the complete stop of a train, and after its complete stop clear the space at car doors to let passengers get out. Never descend to metro tracks or put items on them. Avoid entering metro industrial premises or taking photos of trains using flash.
  


Behaviour in a Metro wagon
Do not lean against car doors, or open them when moving, avoid preventing passengers from entering or exiting a train. Do not use «passenger – metro driver» intercommunication system unless necessary and never place luggage on car seats.
 
When necessary, give up your seat to someone who is elderely, disabled, or a parent with a small child.

[mendeleyev]

Let's take a ride on the Metro, shall we?

Most of us will first experience Moscow after arriving at an airport. We'll start our trip from Sheremetyevo International Airport.

Sheremetyevo is a big place these days. As of last December the terminal known as "Sheremetyevo 2" was renamed as Terminal F (SVO-F).

The new Terminal Е (SVO-Е) went into operation in the beginning of 2010. E is immediately to the left of F on the Airport map.

The passenger terminal (SVO-D) and terminal С (SVO-С) will retain their names.

The name of the terminal Sheremetyevo 1 has been changed to Terminal В (SVO-B).


First we need to have a map, a good one, of the airport layout. This is the map you want:

Click on the map.

We've left it as a thumbnail for you to click and expand because too many details cannot be read clearly when the photo is resized. To make a copy here is the address of the map: http://www.svo.aero/en/map/


To the south of the map you see rail tracks and a red train. That is the AeroExpress.

[mendeleyev]

(Photo courtesy of AeroExpress Media services)


Above: As with many aspects of Russian life, the opening of the AeroExpress lines included an officially sanctioned "consecration" by an Orthodox priest. Here the train and the platform is sprinkled with holy water as prayers for travel safety are recited.


Unlike past days, many signs in the Sheremetyevo Airport complex are in both Russian and English, making it much easier for first time visitors to find the train platform and the places to purchase tickets for the Аэроэкспрэсс (AeroExpress).



(Shown here at Moscow's Kievskaya station/Photo courtesy of AeroExpress Media services)


Here is a nice video of an Аэроэкспрэсс (AeroExpress) ride from Moscow out to Sheremetyevo:

[mendeleyev]

AeroExpress directions from Sheremetyevo Airport:
There is a free bus running between the Shertemetyevo-1 (B) and C terminals and the Aeroexpress railway terminal. The bus stop is located at the exit from the arrival lounge of Sheremetyevo-1 (B), and if you just arrived and have EXITED the arrival building of SVO-B, the bus stop will be on your right. Time of travel is about 20 minutes.

You can walk from the Sheremetyevo F (formerly known as Terminal 2) to the Aeroexpress railway terminal building located at the airport land side through an overhead pedestrian walkway (it will take you around seven minutes). The overhead pedestrian walkway is set at the level of the Sheremetyevo F departure lounge. The express arrives at the Belarusskaya Railway Station in Moscow. The traveling time will be 35 minutes.

Departure from Belorussky railway station from 05:30 untill 23:30. Departure from Sheremetyevo from 05:00 untill 23:00. Time of Journey: 35 minutes. Fare : 380 Rbs (adult), 80 Rbs (children). Departure from Savyolovsky railway station from 05:30 untill 23:30. Time of Journey: 30 minutes. Fare: 250 Rbs.

Pre-registration for flights only takes place in the Belorussky railway station.

http://www.aeroexpress.ru/en/schedule/belorussky_sheremetyevo/



AeroExpress directions from Domodedovo Airport:
Before entering the departure platform, you can buy the train ticket at an Aeroexpress ticket office in the right wing of the Domodedovo Airport Complex. The express arrives at Paveletsky Railway Station in Moscow. The travel time is 45 minutes.

Aeroexpress schedule: http://www.aeroexpress.ru/en/schedule/domodedovo/



AeroExpress directions from Vnukovo Airport:
Take the train “Aeroexpress” near the Airport. Underground railway station is located to the left from the airport building. Tickets can be purchased in Aeroexpress ticket windows situated on the upper floor of the station. Travel privileges are available for certain categories of passengers. The electric train arrives at the Kievskiy railway station. Journey time is 35 minutes

Aeroexpress schedule: http://www.aeroexpress.ru/en/schedule/vnukovo/



On your return:
Belarusskaya and Savelovskaya Stations are intermodal transport terminals which includes a departure lounge where you can register for flights from Sheremetyevo airport, check in your luggage, pay for any excess baggage and purchase your train ticket. On arrival at the airport’s departure hall, go to the sign "Passengers without luggage" and then on to security and boarding. By this time, your luggage is already on the plane.

Warning! Registration on overseas flights can only be done at the airport.