"As the infrastructure grows and passenger trains are launched, industrial estates adjoining the Ring will get a new boost from increased pedestrian traffic between housing projects and factories close to active stations (like Zil or Presnya). The project will make these territories attractive for private investors", said the manager as quoted in the Moscow Railway Minor Ring release.

According to Zotov, the Minor Ring will have 31 new transfer stations. Traffic is planned at 250-285 million passengers per year (750 thousand daily). The launch of passenger trains is planned for end-2015. The project includes a single metro-railway travelcard and a new navigation system to guide passengers en route and in transfer from one transit system to another.

Moscow Railway Minor Ring was established by the Moscow government and Russian Railways to launch passenger service. Charter capital was RUB 2,5bn from each partner, and the investment of a further RUB 2,5bn each is planned for 2012, total spending to reach RUB 51bn by end-2013. The project is due to receive a total of RUB 102bn by end-2014.

The Minor Ring was built over a century ago to connect the radial railways of the city and build industrial development infrastructure on the outskirts. The railway is 54 km long, it passes through all the city municipalities and runs along the Third Transport Ring. The Minor Ring is not powered by electricity, freight trains are pulled by diesel locomotives.

Project Group №5