01.11.2022
Worldwide interest in sustainable water transport is growing
“We have a programme for launching these vessels divided into several stages. At the first stage we will test vessels without people. Further testing will be with a limited number of passengers, as well as with specialists in free mode for a closed testing group. And only after we are sure that the vessels are absolutely safe and meet all the requirements of the river register, requirements of the Ministry of Transport of Russia, the vessels will be admitted for the regular transportation. This is tentatively the next navigation season,” said Maxim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport, Head of the Department of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development.
An important feature of Moscow river trams is the ice class. This means that trams will be able to carry passengers along the Moskva River not only in the warm season, but also in winter. Thus Moscow will have the world’s first electric river tram, which will be able to carry passengers all year round.
As of today electric water transport is only beginning to gain popularity. However, these are mostly private vessels.
Incorporating it into the urban transport infrastructure is an innovative experience so far. In France, for example, an electric maritime shuttle is still being tested, thanks to which they plan to relieve traffic. And Sweden is preparing to launch “flying” electric ferries, which are also currently being tested, next year.
In Moscow, the electric river tram will be an environmentally friendly alternative to the classic fuel-powered river transport of a few years earlier. Its movement will not harm the health of citizens and the Moscow water area.
Two regular routes are planned to be the first to open: Fili Park — Kievsky railway station and Avtozavodsky Bridge — Pechatniki. A map of the routes is already available on the Moscow Water Transport website.
It is planned to complete the passenger fleet fully by 2024. Passengers will be able to pay for their travel on the river tram with the Troika card.
Cover photo: MarioGuti / iStock
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