New marvel in Russia: Here’s the longest O-shaped subway line in the world

Photo credit: Team One

What you need to know:

  • The Big Circle Line is 70km long, with 31 stations and three electric depots.
  • The second longest O-shaped subway line in the world is in Beijing. It is named Line 10, and it is 57km long.
  • The third longest is also in Moscow. It is called the Moscow Central Line, which covers 54km.
  • The Madrid Metro Line 12 comes fourth, covering 40.6km.

By Nation Reporter

Imagine a railway system that draws an ‘O’ around Nairobi, whose trains can pick and drop people from every side of the city: East, west, north, south, you name it.

Such a system is in use in major cities in the world: Beijing, Moscow, Madrid, Zhengzhou, and others. And the longest one is in Moscow.

Started in 2018, the Moscow O-shaped subway line system, called the Big Circle Line, or the Bolshaya Koltsevaya in the local dialect, became fully operational on March 1. Its initial name was the Third Interchange Contour, but it was changed to Bolshaya Koltsevaya after a public vote.

“The Big Circle Line is 70km long, with 31 stations and three electric depots,” states a press release from the Big Circle Line management, announcing its full operationalisation. “It was built in record time. The first section was opened in 2018, followed by several in 2021,” the press release points out.

Photo credit: Team One

The second longest O-shaped subway line in the world is in Beijing. It is named Line 10, and it is 57km long. The third longest is also in Moscow. It is called the Moscow Central Line, which covers 54km. The Madrid Metro Line 12 comes fourth, covering 40.6km.

In yet another win for those who will use the facility, the designers of the Big Circle Line ensured that it connected seamlessly with the rest of the infrastructure in the city.

“The Big Circle Line integrates all existing and prospective radial lines of the subway, and provides interchanges to other modes of transport. Alternative routes were created, including 47 connections to other lines, allowing passengers to get from one point of the city to another, bypassing the need to transfer to the centre,” the management explains in the press release.

A separate statement from the Big Circle Line management indicates that the system transports “up to one million people a day, and this number could increase by 30 percent by the end of the year”.

It continues: “The launch of the Big Circle Line of the Moscow Metro made other subway lines and interchanges less busy and reduced the number of cars on Moscow roads by 15,000-17,000. Passengers can save up to 45 minutes a day with the new routes.”

Photo credit: Team One

Design and functionality was a great consideration in the construction. The subway trains have been equipped with numerous abilities for the benefit of the modern Moscow traveller.

“They have wide doors, passages between the cars, USB sockets for charging, informational displays, and air conditioners with an air disinfection system. Comfort is also provided by improved noise insulation and adaptive lighting, which changes colour temperature depending on the time of day,” the press release states.

Photo credit: Team One
Photo credit: Team One

Students of transport design will find a lot of lessons to draw from the infrastructure, given its design and architectural profile.

Big Circle Line officials say the architecture is “both traditional and modern, simple and complex, serious and ironic”.

“But the subway’s DNA, its individuality, can be found in all of the new and historic stations,” notes the firm.

Photo credit: Team One

Explaining some of the aesthetic features of Big Circle Line, the official communication states: “It reflects the works of the greatest suprematists and constructivists. A large decorative panel on one of the walls and part of the ceiling of Sokolniki station was decorated in the style of works by Kazimir Malevich, Vladimir Tatlin, and El Lissitzky. Red decorative supports, which also refer to the works of Kazimir Malevich, were installed in the halls and on the platform of Mnyovniki station.

“The east vestibule of Khoroshyovskaya station was decorated with suprematist compositions inspired by the paintings of Kazimir Malevich, Alexander Rodchenko, Lyubov Popova, and Alexandra Exter. In the west vestibule, you can see references to the works of the greatest Constructivists – the Vesnin brothers, Moisei Ginzburg, Ilya Golosov, Ivan Leonidov, Nikolai Ladovsky, and Konstantin Melnikov. The images and stylistics of the nearest subway station will guide architects and planners, designing city districts in the future.”

Photo credit: Team One