Biometric Fare Payment Expands Across Russia’s Metro Systems
Novosibirsk Becomes the Latest City to Adopt Facial Recognition for Transit Payments
Commuters in Novosibirsk, one of Russia’s largest cities, can now pay for metro rides using facial recognition. By simply looking into a camera at the turnstile, passengers are instantly verified, eliminating the need for transport cards or smartphones. The new biometric terminals have been installed at all metro stations across the city.
Sergey Tsukary, Minister of Digital Development and Communications of the Novosibirsk Region, said the rollout marks another step toward building a smart and secure city:
Biometric Tech Reaches Russia’s Regions
The payment process takes just a few seconds, with the system accurately identifying users even when wearing glasses or headgear. In Novosibirsk, biometric scanners have been deployed on 88 turnstiles during the initial rollout.
The technology is also spreading rapidly nationwide. Moscow pioneered face-based fare payment, introducing it across the metro, Aeroexpress rail lines, and even river transport. Cities such as Yekaterinburg, Kazan, and Samara followed suit last year.
In total, Russians made over one million biometric metro payments in the past year — a milestone that reflects how AI-driven transit systems are reshaping public infrastructure. For passengers, it means faster commutes, fewer touchpoints, and a more seamless urban experience.
