Boarding Without a Passport: Biometric Rail Passenger Identification Pilot Begins
A new service called Migom, developed by the Center for Biometric Technologies and Russian Railways, is now being tested in Russia. Built on the Unified Biometric System, it allows passengers to board trains without presenting a passport.
The Migom (literally “in an instant”) service is not simply a new technology, but a step toward building a unified national digital identity ecosystem. The concept is straightforward: a passenger’s identity can now be verified during boarding using biometric data directly on a conductor’s handheld device.
Simplifying the Boarding Process
For passengers, the service significantly streamlines the boarding procedure. From an IT perspective, the rollout marks a transition from pilot testing to real-world deployment of biometrics in transport infrastructure. For the state, the project carries strategic weight, supporting a unified approach to digital identification across sectors – from transport to public service centers and hotels.
At the international level, the Russian initiative aligns with a broader global shift toward contactless identification, highlighting the growing role of rail transport as a testing ground for such technologies.
A Seamless Identification System
The launch of biometric boarding is only the first step in a broader transformation of transport and public infrastructure. The next phase involves gradual rollout across additional rail routes. At the same time, the service will be integrated into the wider Migom platform. Authorities see biometric technologies as part of a unified ecosystem of services spanning multiple areas of daily life. The goal is to create a truly seamless system of identity verification.
From an export standpoint, the solution may attract interest in countries actively developing national digital platforms, implementing centralized identity systems, and modernizing passenger transport networks.
Global Context
The Migom service builds on several years of development in biometric technologies, both in Russia and internationally. A key milestone was reached in February 2024, when the Unified Biometric System surpassed one million users. At that stage, plans already included biometric boarding for trains and hotel check-in without documents. By 2025, the range of biometric public services had expanded significantly, reinforcing demand for a unified identification system operating across physical service points.
International experience reflects the same trajectory. In 2023, Eurostar introduced its SmartCheck service, while Europe is rolling out the Entry/Exit System (EES) between 2025 and 2026. In 2026, the British Transport Police also launched a pilot project using biometric recognition technology.
Biometrics Becoming the Norm
The introduction of biometric boarding marks the transition of biometrics from an emerging technology to a practical, large-scale service embedded in federal infrastructure. Railways are becoming one of the primary environments for testing “document-free” services, demonstrating how enhanced security requirements can be combined with user convenience.
A comprehensive model of digital identity is now taking shape, extending beyond a single sector to include transport, public services, and the service economy. The project addresses practical challenges in transport operations while strengthening technological sovereignty in the sensitive field of biometrics and creating sustained demand for domestic solutions.
In the long term, biometrics is expected to become a standard and convenient way for passengers to interact with transport systems. Experience gained on railways will provide a foundation for expanding contactless identification across other modes of transport and public services.
