- The Moscow Metro is one of the busiest metro systems in the world, transporting 9 million people a day via trains.
- Many of the Moscow Metro's 200 stations are ornately designed with chandeliers, glamorous artwork, and intricate stained glass windows.
- Photographer Tomer Ifrah spent three months taking pictures of Moscow residents on their daily commute on the subway.
Moscow's metro system is known for its expansive reach and high ridership — 9 million people take the train across Russia's capital each day.
But the Moscow Metro is also known for its ornate design and glamorous decorations. Its 200 stations around the city feature chandeliers, reflective marble walls, and cavernous arching hallways. Some stations are decorated with intricate stained glass windows and mosaic artwork and sculptures in the socialist realism tradition.
Israeli photographer Tomer Ifrah spent three months documenting Moscow residents on their daily commutes, juxtaposing the bustle of the crowds with their romantic surroundings. The metro is "one of the few places in the city which brings together people from all parts of the society," Ifrah told Business Insider.
Ifrah plans to publish his photos in a book showcasing everyday life in three post-Soviet countries. You can check out more of his work at his website and his Instagram account.
Read on to see what a typical commute is like on the Moscow Metro.
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The Moscow Metro opened in 1935, making it one of the oldest metro systems in the world.
![](http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5abcf7c28c439630008b4ab5-400-300/the-moscow-metro-opened-in-1935-making-it-one-of-the-oldest-metro-systems-in-the-world.jpg)
Source: Moscow Metro
The system comprises 214 stations around Moscow and other towns in the region.
![](http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5abd159128bfdd790e8b4aca-400-300/the-system-comprises-214-stations-around-moscow-and-other-towns-in-the-region.jpg)
Source: Moscow Metro
More than 9 million passengers take the metro every weekday.
![](http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5abcf74be308412a008b4b1c-400-300/more-than-9-million-passengers-take-the-metro-every-weekday.jpg)
Source: Moscow Metro
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