Moscow raises MSD peak-hour toll by 6 rubles to 25 per section from 16 October
In short
The toll on the Moscow High-Speed Diameter (MSD) during critically congested weekday hours will be indexed by 6 rubles from 16 October 2026 to 25 rubles per section, the Moscow transport department said. The paid hours are 07:00 to 11:00 and 16:00 to 20:00 on weekdays; the road stays free the rest of the time, on weekends and on holidays. The transit toll is unchanged at 950 rubles.
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The toll for using the Moscow High-Speed Diameter (MSD) during critically congested weekday hours will be indexed by 6 rubles from 16 October 2026 and will come to 25 rubles per section, the Moscow transport department said. RIA Novosti quoted the announcement as posted on the Max platform. Critically congested hours are 07:00 to 11:00 and 16:00 to 20:00 on weekdays. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Travel will remain free 70% of the day on weekdays as well as on weekends and holidays, the department said. The transit toll does not change and is 950 rubles. TASS reported that outside the weekday paid hours the road remains free. [ 1 , 3 ]
The department said that, in drivers' favour, a trip on a given MSD section counts as paid only if the vehicle both entered and exited the section during paid time. A trip is free, for example, if a vehicle enters a section at 06:55 and leaves at 07:30, or enters at 10:55 and leaves at 11:30. [ 3 ]
Vehicles of emergency services and the post, municipal equipment, city transport, school buses and taxis licensed in Moscow and the Moscow region may always use the MSD free of charge. [ 3 ]
The department recalled that the MSD has been connected to the Southern Lytkarino highway. "Such improvements lead to additional load on the MSD. In September traffic on the road already increased by 20,000 vehicles a day. That is 5% more than a year earlier," the department said. It added that the tariff helps keep the diameter's load at 6 points, prevent an increase in traffic intensity and keep trips on the MSD predictable and fast. [ 3 ]
The MSD is the longest high-speed diameter in Russia at 68 km, according to Interfax. It connects 10 of the largest radial highways and links districts of Moscow and the region. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The department said the tariff is meant to keep the diameter's load at 6 points and prevent traffic from growing after the MSD was connected to the Southern Lytkarino highway, with September traffic already up 20,000 vehicles a day. The increase affects weekday peak-hour drivers on a 68 km road that the department says links 10 of the largest radial highways and districts of Moscow and the region.
Key facts
- From 16 October 2026 the MSD toll in critically congested weekday hours is indexed by 6 rubles to 25 rubles per section. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Critically congested hours are 07:00 to 11:00 and 16:00 to 20:00 on weekdays. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Travel remains free 70% of the day on weekdays and on weekends and holidays, the department said. [ 3 ]
- The transit toll does not change and is 950 rubles. [ 3 ]
- A section counts as paid only if a vehicle both entered and left it during paid time. [ 3 ]
- Emergency services, postal vehicles, municipal equipment, city transport, school buses and taxis licensed in Moscow and the Moscow region are always exempt. [ 3 ]
- In September traffic on the MSD rose by 20,000 vehicles a day, 5% more than a year earlier, the department said. [ 3 ]
- The MSD is 68 km long and the department describes it as the longest high-speed diameter in Russia. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the toll increase will achieve the stated goal of holding the diameter's load at 6 points. The department's stated aim; the documents give no independent assessment.