The Face Pay service is fully launched at all Moscow Metro stations
On 15 October, the Moscow Metro fully launched the Face Pay service, which allows passengers to pay the fare with biometry at all stations of the network — announced Maksim Liksutov, the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport, in his column. moscow face pay
The system has been tested by passengers and employees of the Transport Complex of Moscow since the beginning of 2021 and is finally ready for a full launch. To use the new payment technology, you need to connect the Troika transport card and a bank card to the Moscow Metro mobile app and upload your photo. The payment procedures are the same as when passing the turnstile with a bank card. All the data is securely encrypted: cameras on the turnstiles read the biometric key, face image or other personal data of users are not compared.
Maksim Liksutov said that at some stations, that have less bright light, the system might operate a little longer, much like a smartphone camera that needs more time to recognize a person in the dark or in a poorly lit place. Moreover, live technology distinguishes a real face from the photos and make the use of photo images to pay for a ride impossible.
According to the Deputy Mayor, Moscow is the city with the largest use of biometric payments in the world. Due to the variety of payment methods, over the past 10 years, the queues at the metro ticket offices have decreased by 3.3 times, and with the launch of Face Pay, they might reduce even more. In the context of an epidemiological threat, a completely contactless payment method is the safest one. Other payment options will be maintained.
According to the forecasts of the Department of Transport, in the next 2-3 years, 10-15% of passengers will regularly use Face Pay. The Moscow Metro will adjust the number of turnstiles for Face Pay if the demand for the new service is growing. As of now, at least one turnstile is installed at each station entrance; some of the stations have up to three.
Face Pay technology is already shortlisted in the TechFest Awards in the categories Best Use of Technology: Artificial Intelligence and Transport Infrastructure Champion. moscow face pay
Within a few hours after the launch, about 20 thousand people had already registered for the service.
