Moscow – The successful introduction of the first-ever driverless tram marks a significant stride forward for the city’s public transport infrastructure.

“This revolutionary advancement illustrates the potential of autonomous technology to reshape urban mobility, enhancing efficiency, safety, and passenger convenience,” remarked Maksim Liksutov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry.

Currently, Moscow is gearing up for the introduction of a second driverless tram.

On Thursday, January 16, 2025, Liksutov explained that this cutting-edge transport, modeled after the Lvyonok-Moskva, has already covered numerous kilometers within the Krasnopresnenskoye depot located in the Strogino district.

At this point, the system is designed to mimic the actions of a human tram operator.

The testing environment has been tailored to closely mirror urban conditions.

Experts have created a workspace for analysts inside the tram, where they are currently focused on the following tasks:

  • Assessing the functionality of the onboard radars, lidars, and cameras
  • Testing the tram’s essential features

“In 2024, we successfully wrapped up the initial phase and embarked on the second phase of launching Russia’s first driverless tram,” Liksutov stated.

This innovative transport has traversed over 3,200 km across the city while adhering to traffic regulations.

A driver monitors the tram’s street operations, while the system autonomously manages vehicle control.

By 2025, it is projected to complete its shift to fully autonomous operation, as directed by Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin.

“We are currently preparing the second tram, which is outfitted with similar control technologies, for its upcoming launch,” Liksutov concluded.