Novosibirsk Metro Information
A metro system operating in the city of Novosibirsk in Russia, this form of public transport began operation in 1986. The fourth metro system in Russia and the eleventh in the Soviet Union, the Novosibirsk Metro was considered a great success, as work was carried out on a war footing to meet the original plans to extend the system over sixty-two kilometres on four different lines. However, due to the financial and economic crisis of the early 1990s, work had to be suspended, leaving the entire facility as an example of what could have been. Currently, it runs on just two lines, serving a total of thirteen stations, and is just over 15 km long.
A major drawback of the metro is that it does not pass through any of the city’s bedroom communities. Nevertheless, the service is vital for connecting the city to the other side of the River Ob. It should also be noted that the bridge over the river is the longest of its kind in the country. The highest daily ridership recorded by the metro was 345,000 in 2012.
The Novosibirsk metro is easily recognisable by the large number of advertisements that adorn its walls. They are a ubiquitous aspect of the metro system, along with some other features such as televisions, displays and radios that can be found in many of the trains.
The Novosibirsk metro system is a vital part of the city’s public transport system, carrying a total of 250,000 passengers daily. The service does not operate 24 hours a day, and its operating hours are from 6:00 to 00:00 every day.
Unfortunately, the system has no air conditioning and passengers cannot walk between platforms. There are no driverless trains and the platforms have no screen doors.
A single trip costs 19 roubles.
For more detailed information, feel free to visit the Novosibirsk Metro Official Website.
Novosibirsk Metro Map
Map of Novosibirsk Metro showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Novosibirsk Metro map in PDF format.
Novosibirsk Metro Fares and Tickets
The Novosibirsk metro has a fixed fare of 19 roubles, regardless of the distance travelled. If you’re carrying a handbag, the fare is 20 roubles. Students pay a reduced rate of 10 roubles.
The Metro offers a monthly unlimited travel card for 850 roubles. There are also cards with 30 and 50 trips pre-loaded.
Certain citizens can get up to 50% discount on fares under certain conditions.
Children under 7 travel free.
You can take one piece of luggage (except handbags) with you at no extra charge, provided that it doesn’t exceed 150 cm in length and 120 cm in height and width.
You can also pay with your mobile phone using an application that supports contactless technology.
Novosibirsk Metro Lines and Stations
Initial plans for the Novosibirsk metro were ambitious, with 4 lines and 62 km of track, but the collapse of the USSR and the resulting lack of funding hampered construction. The first line was opened in 1986. Currently, the Novosibirsk metro covers only 16 kilometres with 2 lines and 13 stations. The metro mainly serves the commercial area of the city, but it remains a viable means for tourists to reach major attractions such as Lenin Square and Krasny Prospekt (Red Avenue).
Line 1 or Leninskaya
Inaugurated in 1986 and last extended in 1992, the Leninskaya Line is 10.5 km long and has 8 stations. It crosses the city from the northwest to the southeast and reaches the Ob River. Stations on this line include Zayeltsovskaya, Gagarinskaya, Krasny Prospekt, Ploshchad Lenina, Oktyabrskaya, Rechnoy Vokzal, Sportivnaya, Studencheskaya, Ploshchad and Ploshchad Marksa Stanislavskogo.
Line 2 or Dzerzhinskaya Line
Inaugurated in 1987, the Dzerzhinskaya Line is 5.4 km long and has 5 stations. Stations on this line include Ploshchad Garina-Mikhaylovskogo, Sibirskaya, Marshala Pokryshkina, Beryozovaya Roshcha, Zolotaya Niva, Dovatora and Volochayevskaya.
Hours and Frequency
The Novosibirsk metro operates daily from 6:00 am to 12:00 am.
Trains arrive approximately every 5 minutes on the Leninskaya line and every 6 minutes on the Dzerzhinskaya line.
Interesting Facts
- Alcohol consumption is strictly forbidden in the Metro. Police officers are present at all stations to prevent intoxicated people from entering.
- All stations are equipped with metal detectors, which passengers can use voluntarily or on the instructions of police or security personnel.
- All signs and notices are in Russian. English assistance is not readily available.
- In terms of accessibility, none of the stations have lifts or wheelchair platforms. Seven of the 13 stations have escalators. Only Zolotaya Niva station has tactile features on the walls for visually impaired passengers. The first and last steps of each staircase are marked in yellow for the same purpose. Some stairs have double ramps.
- At stations with escalators, it’s a good idea to stand on the right-hand side, similar to the practice on the London Underground.
Service to the Airport
While the Metro does not run directly to the airport, buses 111 and 112 and the 1122 minibus connect the airport to the main train and bus stations. These services run every 30 minutes.