Russian Biometric Fare Payment System Expands Internationally with Tashkent Metro Launch
VisionLabs, part of Russia’s MTS ecosystem, has deployed its facial recognition fare payment system in Tashkent’s metro—a move signaling growing international demand for Russian biometric technologies.
Facial Recognition at the Gates
In July 2025, VisionLabs launched FacePay—a facial recognition-based fare payment system—in the Tashkent Metro. In partnership with ATTO Bank and Click payment system, the technology now covers three-quarters of the city's stations, with full rollout expected by the end of the year, impacting millions of commuters.
With FacePay, riders pass through turnstiles simply by looking at a camera—no cards or smartphones required. This streamlines passenger flow, reduces ticket booth congestion, and enhances accessibility for elderly and mobility-impaired riders.
The project showcases the competitiveness of Russian biometric solutions. For Uzbekistan, it’s a major step in public transit modernization. For Russia, it strengthens regional influence and expands tech exports. From a global perspective, it contributes to urban sustainability—reducing plastic cards, shortening queues, and cutting energy use.
Scaling Across Borders and Sectors
The Tashkent deployment is driving VisionLabs’ international expansion. The company is already in talks with potential partners in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, where urban transit systems increasingly seek seamless and secure technologies.
According to RBC, exports made up about 30% of VisionLabs’ revenue in 2024, with projections pointing to 50% by 2026. Overall revenue is expected to grow 2.5 times within three years.
Beyond transit, FacePay is being adapted for retail. Click is planning to launch the service in Uzbek stores, expanding its application scenarios. In Russia, VisionLabs is working with banks to offer ID-free biometric services and with Smartix retail chains to enable face-based checkout and analytics.
A key enabler of domestic expansion is Luna Line, a cloud-based computer vision platform that allows smaller companies and local governments to deploy facial recognition tools without deep technical expertise.
Building Momentum Through Experience
FacePay’s journey began in 2021 with its debut in the Moscow Metro—one of the first large-scale implementations of biometric fare payment globally. In 2024, the system expanded to Almaty, Kazakhstan, in partnership with Halyk Bank. Then in July 2025, Tashkent joined the list with full metro coverage.
Domestically, VisionLabs technologies have gained traction across sectors. Smartix has integrated biometrics in retail; banks use facial recognition for secure authentication; and cities leverage it for transit flow analysis. Each stage of adoption has brought broader reach and greater technological maturity.
Growth Forecasts and Strategic Edge
The Tashkent rollout marks more than a tech milestone—it’s a strategic advance in the export of Russian digital infrastructure. It demonstrates VisionLabs’ global competitiveness and adaptability across geographies and systems.
By late 2025, FacePay is expected to be live at all Tashkent stations. From 2026 to 2028, VisionLabs anticipates expansion into dense urban centers in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa.
Within Russia, demand is also growing—in finance, retail, and transportation—driven by Luna Line and the wider shift toward contactless services.
Still, challenges remain: safeguarding personal data, navigating regulation, and overcoming cultural resistance to biometrics. Long-term success will depend on the company’s ability to localize and maintain strong privacy protections.
