Moscow Metro launches public biometric ticketing trial

Passengers using Moscow Metro’s Line 4 services can now join a public pilot scheme to test the transport network’s FacePay biometric contactless ticketing system.

Moscow Metro logo

The system enables passengers to pay their fares at metro station turnstiles using facial recognition technology to verify their identity and authenticate payment from their linked bank card.

The public trial follows testing by Moscow Metro staff and will initially involve a group of 1,000 passengers who sign up and register their details on the transit provider’s FacePay website.

“The members of the group will be able to pass through gates with a special black sticker with facial recognition and transfer to Moscow Central Circle and Moscow Central Diameters free of charge,” Moscow Metro says.

“The personal data is securely stored and is not shared with anyone.”

“We are starting the most important stage of the FacePay testing — the one with passengers,” adds Moscow’s deputy mayor for transport Maxim Liksutov.

“Metro employees already use this service and have made more than 1m successful passes.

“We will test this technology gradually, from line to line, Line 4 being the first one.”

Moscow Metro revealed its plans to test the FacePay service in March.

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