Transportation

Moscow Metro to test payments using facial recognition

Image provided by iStock.

September 17, 2021

The Moscow Metro has partnered with VTB Bank, an acquirer for contactless payment of fares in the Moscow Metro, to launch a joint project to pay for metro rides using biometric data at all metro stations in October 2021, according to a press release.

The project uses the "face pay" system, which allows customers to travel using facial recognition technology. Customers submit their biometric data and link a bank card, from which the fare will be debited. Funds are debited automatically upon passing through the turnstile.

"We have previously provided the technical possibility of seamless transfers from one mode of transport to another, implemented payment for travel using bank cards and payment services Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Mir Pay and Apple Pay," Vadim Izotov, head of the department for development and maintenance of special electronic products and senior vice president of VTB Bank, said in the press release. "Today we are able to go further, by offering passengers the use of technology of the future for travel — face biometrics."

VTB Bank provides settlements for bank cards linked to biometrics, including an analysis of daily trips to determine the cost of a passenger's travel, taking into account the organization of transfers between different types of transport.

The bank plans to use biometrics to pay for fares at all stations of the Moscow Metro this year.