The Georgian capital attracts a huge number of tourists with its unique temples and architectural monuments. Travelers do not pass by and the underground part of this ancient city. The Tbilisi Metro in Tbilisi is the second largest in Transcaucasia. Read about the features of this transport system in our article.
Tbilisi Metro (Tbilisi, Georgia): history and general information
Two lines, 22 stations and 26 kilometers of railways. These are the main parameters of the metro in Tbilisi. About 500 thousand passengers use its services per day.
By size, the Tbilisi Metro is smaller than Baku, but larger than Yerevan. But to Moscow, or even to Kiev, he still has to grow and grow. The metro in the capital of Georgia is open from 6 am to midnight. The interval between trains is from 2.5 to 12 minutes.
The Tbilisi Metro began its work in January 1966. Thus, he became the fourth in a row within the former Soviet Union. The creation and implementation of this project was worked by over two thousand highly qualified specialists and ordinary workers.
The last (at the moment) Tbilisi metro station was commissioned in 2000. To date, six more new stations are being designed.
Scheme and rolling stock
Tbilisi Metro includes two active lines. Krasnaya (Akhmeteli-Varketilskaya) is laid parallel to the Kure River and consists of 16 stations. Zelenaya (Saburtalinskaya) has a total of 6 operating stations. Plans to build another line. However, when this happens is still unknown.
All stations of the Tbilisi metro can take up to five passenger cars. Nevertheless, on both branches trains with 3 or 4 wagons run today. However, this is quite enough for a relatively small Georgian capital.
As a rolling stock in the subway of the city of Tbilisi, several models of wagons produced by the Mytishchi Engineering Plant are used. Recently, some of the cars underwent a major modernization according to the Czech model. In particular, all electrical equipment has been updated, as well as a radically modified interior.
Passenger transportation in the Tbilisi metro provides 156 cars. The rolling stock is served by two depots: Gldani and Nadzaladevi.
Unknown about Tbilisi metro
Here we have gathered a number of interesting facts regarding the subway in the Georgian capital. So here they are:
- Tbilisi metro fare is 50 tetri, which is equivalent to 15 Russian rubles.
- The metro in Georgia is one of the few in the post-Soviet space that has completely abandoned the use of tokens (a payment system in the form of plastic cards is in place);
- All announcements and signs are duplicated in English.
- Inside passenger cars, there are no metro line schemes.
- There is very little advertising at stations and in cars.
- Elektrodepo station is completely open - there are not even canopies on passenger platforms.
- At some stations, the ceiling and walls are lined with siding, which creates a very unusual effect.
Tbilisi Metro, Tbilisi: Traveler Reviews
Tourists describe the metro of the Georgian capital in different ways. However, almost all the reviews agree on one thing: "Nothing unusual, but it works like a clock."
Almost all tourists note that the Tbilisi Metro is a very clean, well-groomed and convenient form of public transport. Some guests of the capital do not find anything special in it, while others, on the contrary, note the beauty and originality of some stations.
Especially striking is the Tbilisi metro of Muscovites, accustomed to the hustle and huge passenger traffic in the subway. They think it is cozy, calm and very measured. Unfortunately, not all Georgian metro stations look first-class. Some of them are poorly lit, many need serious repairs.
The most interesting stations
The special beauty of the Tbilisi metro station, alas, does not differ. However, interesting and original can be found. The most notable metro stations in Tbilisi are listed below.
Perhaps it’s worth starting from the Rustaveli station. It is not only one of the most beautiful, but also the deepest in the Tbilisi subway. The station was opened in 1966. Its depth is almost 60 meters. The walls are decorated with bas-reliefs of the Georgian sculptor E. Amashukeli.
No less beautiful and spectacular is the Tavisuplebis Moedani station. In 2007, it was reconstructed. The station is decorated with a large symbol of the Rose Revolution.
The Tsereteli station in its color scheme resembles a huge aquarium. Black columns are interestingly combined with a bright blue ceiling.
But the Guramishvili station, on the contrary, surprises from the unpleasant side. She can be called the most terrible and groomed in the entire subway of the city of Tbilisi. The station’s only decoration is beautiful wrought iron lanterns.
A stylish and bright stained glass window decorates another beautiful station of the Tbilisi Metro - Avlabari. It proudly bears the name of the oldest quarter of the Georgian capital.