The start of the summer navigation season on the Moscow River was announced in his blog by the mayor of the capital, Sergei Sobyanin.
According to the mayor, this year the embankments were put in order – granite parapets and cast-iron fences were cleaned, access to the water and walking sidewalks were updated. All berths were also thoroughly washed, granite slopes, metal fences and cast iron elements were treated. Where necessary, the bases of the berths were repaired and worn rubber fenders were replaced. Many berths of the pleasure fleet and regular river transport were equipped with tents, benches, bins and fences. For the convenience of passengers, information signs, a route map and waiting areas appeared at the berths.
Experts have revised the numbering of pleasure boat routes, assigning them numbers from 1 to 8 to avoid confusion with regular river transport. Each of the eight walking routes has its own color and unique name. For example, the “Historical” route passes by key attractions of the capital. In summer, cruise ships depart from the Northern and Southern River Stations. The restoration gave the stations their former luxury. Last season alone there were 1.9 thousand arrivals and departures from their berths. Muscovites and tourists made more than 2.2 million trips on pleasure and cruise ships. In the new season, cruise companies will offer new tourist routes. Cruise ships will depart from Moscow river terminals to almost 50 major cities and towns of the country.
Among the innovations will be an exclusive route from the Northern River Station through Nizhny Novgorod, Veliky Novgorod, St. Petersburg and Valaam with a return to Moscow. A 30-day cruise along the Volga, Don and Kama, visiting 27 cities, will also be available. One of the most famous and unique routes, the Moscow Golden Ring, will pass through Moscow with stops at both stations. Travelers will be able to visit Yaroslavl, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Rostov, Kostroma, Ivanovo, Suzdal, Vladimir, Sergiev Posad and other cities of Central Russia. The route will start from the Northern River Station and end at the Yuzhny, passing along the Volga, Oka and Moscow Rivers.
In addition, regular electric vessels will continue to ply along the Moscow River regardless of the season. Every day they will transport passengers along the routes “Kyiv – Heart of the Capital” and “ZIL – Pechatniki”. This year it is planned to expand the route from Kievsky Station to Fili Park and add several new stops.
The mayor emphasized that Moscow continues to be developed as a resort city, and river walks are an integral part of this concept.
