The first metro in the USSR was opened in Moscow on May 15, 1935. Since then, metros have been built in the USSR in cities such as Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Kyiv, Minsk, Tbilisi, Baku, Yekaterinburg and others. In 1991, after the collapse of the USSR, metros came under the jurisdiction of new states.
Moscow metro.
The Moscow metro is one of the largest subways in the world, including 12 lines, more than 200 stations and a total length of more than 400 km. It was opened in 1935, became the first underground in the USSR and one of the main symbols of Moscow.
Moscow metro stations are famous for their architecture and design. Some of them were created by famous architects and artists, such as Alexey Dushkin, Igor Voskresensky, Dmitry Zilenkov and others. Among the most famous stations are Ploshchad Revolyutsii, Komsomolskaya, Paveletskaya, Kievskaya, Moskovskaya, Kropotkinskaya and many others.
Subway sign (Unsplash License)
In addition, the Moscow metro has its own unique history, connected with the peculiarities of life in the USSR and post-war Moscow. For example, thousands of workers and engineers were involved in the construction of the metro, who worked even during the war. Some stations were used as bomb shelters during World War II.
Today, the Moscow metro remains one of the most popular and convenient ways to travel in the city. It covers millions of passengers daily and is an integral part of the lives of Muscovites and visitors to the capital.
Leningrad metro.
It was opened on November 15, 1955 and is one of the oldest and largest systems in the country. The Leningrad Metro consists of 5 lines and 69 stations, with a length of over 118 km. The average travel time between stations is about 2-3 minutes, and the system’s capacity reaches up to 3 million passengers per day.
Kiev metro
It was opened on November 6, 1960. The system consists of 3 lines and 52 stations, with a length of over 66 km. The average travel time between stations is about 2 minutes, depending on stops and transfers. The system’s capacity reaches up to 1.6 million passengers per day. The Kiev metro is a convenient and reliable means of transportation in the city, allowing you to quickly and without traffic jams get to many areas of Kyiv. In addition, the metro is an important cultural and historical site, as many of its stations are decorated in the style of socialist realism and have cultural and historical significance.