The first central diameter, Belorussko-Savelovsky or MCD-1, runs for 52 kilometres between Odintsovo and Lobnya. The second diameter, Kursko-Rizhsky or MCD-2, connects Nakhabino with Podolsk 80 kilometres away.
The President was among the first MCD passengers who travelled from Belorusskaya to Fili station on the Russian-made Ivolga train. He was accompanied by Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov and Transport Minister Yevgeny Ditrikh.
Unlike the old suburban lines, the new railway routes run across Moscow without being connected to specific railway stations. The first two diameters, which have been launched today, have 57 stations altogether, 19 of which are connected to metro lines, the Moscow Central Circle (MCC) and radial railway lines.
In all, there will be five central diameters. MCD-3 will connect Zelenograd with Ramenskoye, MCD-4 will run from Aprelevka to Zheleznodorozhny, and MCD-5 will go from Pushkino to Domodedovo.
The Moscow Central Diameters are a joint project of the Transport Ministry, the Moscow Government, the Moscow Region Government and Russian Railways (RZD) designed to improve the transport accessibility for the residents of Moscow and the Moscow Region and relieve infrastructure congestion.