Yekaterinburg Metro

The Yekaterinburg Metro is a vital and strategic component of the city’s transportation network, playing a key role in ensuring efficient and convenient mobility for residents and visitors. Since its inauguration in 1991, the metro has become an integral part of the city’s infrastructure. Today, it features 9 stations and two main routes, connecting key areas of the metropolis. With passenger numbers increasing annually, the metro continues to evolve to meet modern standards of comfort and safety

The turnstiles installed in the metro during the 1970s had long outlived their functional relevance, failing to meet contemporary demands. Passengers frequently encountered bottlenecks at the entrances due to slow card readers and outdated payment methods. The aging equipment caused significant delays during peak hours, often resulting in overcrowding and, in some cases, accidents. Recognizing these challenges, the Yekaterinburg Metro initiated a large-scale turnstile modernization project to enhance passenger convenience and safety.

Solution

As part of the project, Infomatika installed new high-tech smart fare control turnstiles across all 9 stations of the Yekaterinburg Metro.

The modernization began at the busiest station, "1905 Square," where the new turnstiles were deployed and operational by December 28, 2023. Over the following months, until October 27, 2024, the upgraded turnstiles were installed at the remaining stations. To address the metro’s specific requirements, Infomatika developed a new smart turnstile model, "Contour EK." This model features extended-height gates (1.2 m), a stainless-steel and tempered glass construction, built-in card readers, a large color display, and intelligent LED indicators.

To address the metro’s specific requirements, Infomatika developed a new smart turnstile model, "Contour EK." This model features extended-height gates (1.2 m), a stainless-steel and tempered glass construction, built-in card readers, a large color display, and intelligent LED indicators. Payment for entry can be made using transport and bank cards, including the social “Uralochka” card, a mobile phone through the SberPay and Mir Pay apps, as well as traditional tokens. At the end of 2024, tokens were replaced with single-use tickets featuring a QR code. The technology for contactless fare payment via bank cards is implemented based on the Transport Processing Platform of the National Payment Card System.

As part of the project, Infomatika completed a full range of work on installation, commissioning, and integration of the equipment with the transportation operator system “I-Set” and the fare payment system “Convenient Route.”

From November 11, 2024, biometric fare payment became available at all stations of the Yekaterinburg Metro. The presentation of “smile payment” took place at the “Chkalovskaya” station. This innovative payment method has become an ideal addition to the installed smart turnstiles, significantly improving convenience and speed of passage for passengers. Currently, each station is equipped with one biometric fare payment terminal. The service was implemented in partnership with Sberbank and the Center for Biometric Technologies, based on the Unified Biometric System.
“Since the end of last year, we have replaced turnstiles that had been in service for more than 40 years across all 14 vestibules of the metro. Thanks to this, six payment methods are now available in the metro, which is unmatched in any other city in the country. The installed smart turnstiles have significantly reduced the time needed to enter the metro”  - noted Alexey Orlov, Mayor of Yekaterinburg.

In 2025, the modernization of turnstiles at station exits is planned.

The project involved:
 
1. Development, manufacture and installation of Contour EK double-leaved smart turnstiles (121 posts) made of stainless steel and extra-high (1.2m) tempered glass leaves. The built-in readers enable paying for travel with a transport, bank or social card, as well as using the SberPay and Mir Pay applications.

2.  Upgrading the existing token-based one-time pass payment system to the QR-coded ticket payment system. For a smoother transition, the company proposed a solution to embed the current token receivers into the new turnstile, followed by a full transition to a QR ticket.

The QR ticket is valid for one day at the station where it was purchased, unlike tokens, which could be bought in bulk at one station and used at any other.

3. Implementation of a unified monitoring system that covers all turnstiles and allows the online monitoring of the equipment operability and carry out repairs on a timely basis as necessary.

4. Integration. With the support of Sberbank and in partnership with the I-Set transport operator and the Udobny Marshrut fare payment system, the city residents were given the long–awaited opportunity to pass through all metro turnstiles using transport and bank cards, including the Uralochka social card and phone - using the SberPay and Mir Pay applications.