Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin launched the operation of the first fully autonomous tram on route No. 10 from Shchukinskaya metro station to Kulakova Street in the northwest of Moscow. This involves the 71–911EM “Lvyonok-Moskva” (Little Lion-Moscow) tram model, equipped with cameras, lidars, and radars.

“Today is an important day in the history of Moscow and all Russian transport. For the first time, a vehicle that is not controlled by a driver is entering regular service,” the mayor stated. The autonomous tram independently makes stops, opens and closes doors, follows traffic signals, yields to pedestrians, determines how to navigate intersections, and switches tracks, according to the city mayor’s office.

Testing occurred in several stages. Since May 2024, the tram operated without passengers at night, with a driver supervising the automation’s actions. In July 2024, the Russian government launched a three-year experimental legal regime for autonomous trams in Moscow and St. Petersburg, after which the second phase of testing with passengers onboard began. Under the regime’s conditions, vehicles must be equipped with a triangular “Autonomous Transport” sign and a system that disables autopilot in emergency situations. For the first 3,000 km (150 hours of operation), a test engineer was required to be in the cabin. Then, if no accidents occurred, a transition to remote control without a person in the cabin was permitted.

By the end of 2025, city authorities plan to equip three more “Lvyonok” trams with autonomous technology on the same route, and by the end of 2026—a total of 15 vehicles. By 2030, city officials aim to integrate the autonomous module into 300 trams (about two-thirds of the current fleet), and by 2035—into 90% of cars. A tram company employee will still be present in the autonomous tram for now—to monitor movement and oversee fare payment. “In case of emergencies, the employee is required to open or close doors and resolve other issues that arise,” the mayor’s office explained. “They will not interfere with tram operation: artificial intelligence and special software ensure fully autonomous tram movement.”

In December 2025, the mayor’s office promises to launch the first autonomous metro train as well. Initially, it will run on the Big Circle Line in test mode at night; by the end of 2026, a working prototype train is planned to be ready to carry passengers in operational mode.

What was known about the launch of the autonomous tram — .

Shchukinskaya metro station

Shchukinskaya is a Moscow Metro station that opened in 1975 as part of the Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya line. It is named after the nearby Shchukino District, a historical area whose name originates from the 16th-century Shchukin boyar family. The station’s design features a simple, functional style typical of the late Soviet era.

Kulakova Street

Kulakova Street is a central thoroughfare in the city of Tula, Russia, historically known for its association with the local arms manufacturing and samovar production industries. It is named in honor of Nikolay Kulakov, a Soviet vice-admiral and Hero of the Soviet Union who was born in the Tula region. Today, it remains a prominent street featuring shops, residential buildings, and connects key areas of the city.

71–911EM “Lvyonok-Moskva”

The “71–911EM Lvyonok-Moskva” is a model of modern Russian tram, named after Moscow (Moskva) and featuring a “lion cub” (Lvyonok) mascot on its front. It was developed by PC Transport Systems (formerly Uralvagonzavod) and entered service in the late 2010s as part of Moscow’s initiative to modernize its public transportation fleet with more efficient and accessible vehicles.

Moscow

Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia, with a history dating back to its founding in 1147. It is a major political, economic, and cultural center, historically serving as the capital of the former Soviet Union and the Tsardom of Russia. The city is renowned for its iconic landmarks, including the Kremlin, Red Square, and St. Basil’s Cathedral.

St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is a historic Russian city founded in 1703 by Tsar Peter the Great as his “window to the West.” It served as the imperial capital of Russia for over two centuries and is renowned for its grand Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, including the Winter Palace and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. The city’s elegant canals and cultural heritage have earned it the nickname “Venice of the North.”

Big Circle Line

The Big Circle Line is a major expansion of the Moscow Metro, officially opened in 2018 and completed in 2023. It is a 70-kilometer orbital line designed to reduce congestion in the city center by connecting outlying districts and radial lines. Its construction, one of the world’s largest metro projects, incorporated advanced engineering and features modern, themed station designs.

autonomous tram

An autonomous tram is not a specific place or cultural site, but a modern mode of public transportation. It refers to a tram or light rail vehicle that operates without a human driver, using a combination of sensors, artificial intelligence, and GPS navigation. While still an emerging technology, such systems are being tested and implemented in various cities worldwide to increase efficiency and safety in urban transit.

autonomous metro train

An autonomous metro train is a driverless urban rail system that operates using automated control technology. The concept emerged in the late 20th century, with early systems like the Vancouver SkyTrain (1985) pioneering the technology. These trains use sensors, computers, and centralized control systems to improve efficiency, safety, and frequency of service.