Token payments have been discontinued in the Nizhny Novgorod Metro as of January 1.

      They had been one of the symbols of the subway for decades.

      A historic day for the Nizhny Novgorod metro. As of January 1, 2026, fares can no longer be paid with metal tokens. They are being officially withdrawn from circulation. These tokens had remained for decades one of the symbols of the subway.

      Fyodor Lyutyansky — correspondent:

      “Tokens are disappearing against the backdrop of an almost complete shift to cashless payments. Today, according to statistics, 96% of trips on city transport are paid for electronically. The transition to new payment methods in the subway began several years ago. Residents of Nizhny Novgorod noticed that tokens stopped being issued at some stations. They were replaced by tickets with QR codes, card payments, and biometric payment.”

      For some, tokens are simply an outdated means of payment. For others, they are part of personal memories. How do the passengers themselves feel about the changes?

      “We have a social card. It’s very convenient for us.”

      “It’s the digital age, so paying by bank card is quite convenient.”

      “I think it’s a cool little souvenir, why not buy one?”

      Interesting fact: the Gorky token matched the Leningrad one exactly in size and weight. Because of this, our tokens began to be shipped out and bought up en masse. To stop the outflow, the metro took an unusual measure — holes were punched in the already existing tokens. Today the tokens are finally becoming history.

      Author: Fyodor Lyutyansky, Alexey Falin

      More news about the event:

      Tokens were canceled in the Nizhny Novgorod metro as of January 1

      Tokens in the Nizhny Novgorod metro can no longer be bought. They ceased to be valid as of January 1. 19:10 02.01.2026 vGorodeN.Ru - Nizhny Novgorod

      Token payments ended in the Nizhny Novgorod metro as of January 1

      They had been one of the symbols of the subway for decades.

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