Page last updated at 11:59 GMT, Tuesday, 5 June 2007 12:59 UK

Moscow Diary: Traffic jams

The BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow reports on the Russian passion for cars and how the capital's roads have changed since communist times. His diary is published fortnightly.



Moscow traffic jam
A Moscow traffic jam: Major roads are often clogged with cars






It's the most obvious sign of Russia's new wealth.












If you want to follow Spartak and take to the metro to beat the traffic, beware.

Moscow metro
The Moscow metro is fast and efficient - but also very popular
Moscow's underground railway system is a model of speed and efficiency. It puts London - with its frequent delays and seemingly endless engineering works - to shame.

But it too risks becoming a victim of the city's economic success. The rush hour seems never to end. There are just too many commuters crowding into the carriages.

There is one job - left over from the Soviet era - which is designed to help.

At the bottom of the escalators stands a small glass box. It is the workplace of a metro employee. Armed with nothing more than a microphone, they sit there for hours on end telling people to stand still, hurry up, or behave themselves. It's like a living museum exhibit of the communist state.

Unfortunately, a similar system is unlikely to end congestion on the roads. Russia already has thousands of traffic police. Motorists do their best to avoid them.

Maybe the solution lies elsewhere. The communists have little prospect of electoral success in today's Russia. All the same, whatever failings their system had, there were far fewer traffic jams when they were in charge.

Maybe they could sort it out. Perhaps Sergei in the joke would have to go back to waiting five years for a car, but at least he could keep moving once he got it.

Your comments:

An interesting and educational article. We in developing countries (eg here in Uganda) could learn about the situation to prepare for such incidences. The question would then be: Should governments restrict importing cars or promote public transport systems such as trains or buses? Here in Kampala we already have somewhat similar problem as in Moscow, with commuter taxis - "matatu" flooding everywhere in the city. Many thanks to James for the wonderful observation in Moscow!
Peter Olanya, Kampala, Uganda

Try living in Cairo. Whilst you may have more cars on the road than here at least your drivers are polite. Here you have three lanes for traffic but if you sit in your car you can usually count at least six lines or more of traffic. If there is a space in Cairo there is something in it. I recently visited Moscow and I would much prefer to drive in Moscow than Cairo any day. As for your underground it is fantastic.
Janet, Egypt

The picture of traffic, taken from the bridge by St Basil's of the embankment alongside the Kremlin is not showing heavy traffic - it is clear that the traffic is moving. Why could you not show a real Moscow traffic jam? For instance, on the opposite side of the river from the picture, it can take over an hour to move 400m!
Richard, Moscow

Traffic in Moscow is indeed a nightmare. I had the same impression when I noticed the changes that occurred in post communist Russia. I think the main problem is that you cannot walk or cycle to work in a city that big, the distances and the cold in the winter are just impossible to avoid. I have also noticed that the quality of the roads has improved a lot with time, but I wish Moscow will stay a green city nonetheless, because large roads do not make a capital nice.
Dimitri, Paris, France


James Rodgers Leaving for good
Our correspondent's valedictory entry before departing Moscow

MAY - OCT 2008

SEPT 2007 - APRIL 2008




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