The Moscow Metro is celebrating the second anniversary of the launch of through traffic on the Big Circle Line (BCL), a monumental achievement in the city's transportation infrastructure. Since its full launch two years ago, the BCL has served over 740 million passengers, transforming the way Muscovites travel throughout the city.
The Big Circle Line is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Russia and the world, implemented at the direction of Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin. Thanks to the BCL, all residents of the capital have alternative routes and the ability to save up to 45 minutes per day on their commutes. This line is one of the most popular, with over 740 million trips taken since its complete launch, — stated Maksim Liksutov.
Key facts about the Big Circle Line:
• High Ridership: the BCL sees over 1.4 million trips on a typical weekday.
• Improved Accessibility: the BCL has enhanced transport accessibility for 34 districts, bringing the metro to many for the first time.
• Robust Rolling Stock: the line's rolling stock is maintained by three electric depots.
• Reduced Congestion: the launch of the BCL has eased congestion on the Circle Line by 23% and radial lines by up to 12%.
• Time Savings: passengers save approximately 45 minutes per day in travel time thanks to the BCL.
• Job Creation: the BCL has created 6,000 new jobs within the metro system, including train operators, station attendants, and other operational roles.
• World's Longest Circle Line: the BCL is the longest circle line in the world.
A Transformative Project for Moscow:
The launch of through traffic on the BCL two years ago marked a historic day for Moscow and represented one of the largest projects in the history of metro construction, completed in just 10 years. It immediately relieved pressure on other metro lines, offering residents and visitors of Moscow dozens of new and convenient routes.
The Big Circle Line has spurred development throughout the city, with new housing and social infrastructure being built near its stations and businesses developing at a faster pace. The line is served by approximately 100 modern, domestically produced "Moskva-2020" trains.
The BCL is a testament to Moscow's commitment to providing its citizens with a world-class transportation system.
Image credit: Moscow Metro
