Russia has begun testing a biometric train boarding service. Trials are being conducted on three routes: Moscow — Nizhny Novgorod, Moscow — Ivanovo, and Moscow — Kostroma. According to the office of Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko, the service is scheduled to launch for all Russian Railways users in the first quarter of 2026.
The new solution is being developed by the Center for Biometric Technologies and Russian Railways based on the Unified Biometric System. The service allows passengers to confirm their identity without presenting a passport or other documents. To use it, a verified biometric profile is required, which can be obtained at a bank or at home with the help of a visiting specialist.
After registration, it is sufficient to consent to data processing. Identification is carried out when boarding the train using a conductor's portable device, while the passenger can independently choose a method of identity verification — by passport or biometrics.
The government office emphasized that the use of biometrics remains voluntary. The technology serves as an additional, convenient, and secure way to access services, and legislation prohibits any discrimination against passengers who refuse to register biometric data.
