The above-ground monorail system linking the orange and gray metro lines in the city's northeast will likely be closed and dismantled after an unsuccessful run of just eight years.
Deputy head of Moscow's transport department Evgeny Mikhailov gave the news Monday at a meeting to discuss the future of transportation infrastructure, saying the line was "designed poorly" and had underperformed, Lenta.ru reported, citing Itar-Tass.
The line, comprising six stations bridging the five-kilometer gap between the VDNKh and Timiryazevskaya metro stations, only carries 10,000 people per day. The line has been unprofitable since beginning operation in 2004 as a City Hall pet project. Construction on the line began in 2001 and cost $200 million to complete, media reports said.
City Hall said it would provide "corrective measures" for the people who rely on the monorail system.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
