Moscow Begins Testing Biometric Boarding for Trains

Biometric boarding for trains is now being tested at Moscow’s Yaroslavsky railway station, РИА Новости reported, citing materials from Russia’s Ministry of Transport.

For now, the system is being tested without passengers. Trials are underway on three routes from the capital – to Ivanovo, Nizhny Novgorod, and Kostroma.

A similar system is also being tested at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg. In fall 2025, the airport installed Migom scanners with software that enables biometric boarding for flights. The service is built on the national biometric system. Earlier reports said Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow is also expected to join the pilot.

Beyond Boarding and Ticketing

Biometrics is being positioned as an alternative to presenting paper documents when boarding trains or planes, as well as for paying fares on public transport.

Earlier, biometric payment was rolled out across the entire Moscow Metro network and the Moscow Central Circle. The technology is also used on Aeroexpress trains, river transport, and at some stations of the Moscow Central Diameters. The system works by scanning a person’s face or fingerprints.