Dmitriy Gaev Former head of the State Unitary Enterprise "Moscow Metro" Date of Birth: 21.10.1951 Country: Russia

1. Early Life and Career
2. Railway and Military Service
3. Political Career
4. Moscow Metro Chief
5. Modernization and Controversy
6. Industry Involvement
7. Recognition and Awards
8. Personal Life

Early Life and Career

Dmitry Gaev was born on October 21, 1951, in Moscow, into a family of railway workers. Despite initially aspiring to a military career, he chose to pursue a path in railway engineering. In 1973, he graduated from the Moscow Institute of Railway Transport Engineers (MIIT) with a degree in railway engineering and electromechanics.

Railway and Military Service

Gaev's career began as an assistant engine driver at the Moscow Railway's "Moscow-Sortirovochnaya" depot. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming an engineer, бригадир, foreman, and head of the depot's locomotive department. In 1979, he was conscripted into the army and served as deputy commander of a road commandant battalion until 1981.

Political Career

After completing his military service, Gaev joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) and became an instructor in the Sokolniki District Committee. In 1986, he was appointed an instructor and consultant in the Moscow City Committee of the CPSU, where he supervised railway transportation enterprises, including the Moscow Metro.

Moscow Metro Chief

In 1990, Gaev became the first deputy chief of the Moscow Metro under Evgeny Dubchenko. Following Dubchenko's resignation in 1994, Gaev was appointed acting head and, in December 1995, became the official chief of the Moscow Metro.

Under his leadership, the Lublinskaya line, Butovo light rail line, and branch line to the Moscow International Business Center were opened. In 2007-2008, the construction of the "Trubnaya," "Sretensky Bulvar," and "Strogino" stations was completed, and the introduction of type 81-740/741 "Rusich" trains with asynchronous drives began.

Modernization and Controversy

Gaev oversaw the modernization of the metro's fare payment system, replacing tokens with contact and later contactless cards. He also initiated the introduction of credit card payments and played a key role in the development of the "Moscow Social Card." These measures, along with increased advertising revenue and leasing of space and infrastructure, made the Moscow Metro a profitable enterprise from 2005 onwards.

In April 2005, Gaev was involved in a drunk driving incident on a flight to Tokyo, leading to a public scandal. However, he remained in his position as metro chief.

Industry Involvement

Gaev became a member of the board of directors of the telecommunications company Sitronics in November 2005. Sitronics, through its subsidiary Sitronics Smart Technologies (SST), became the exclusive supplier of travel tickets for the Moscow Metro, generating significant profits for the company.

Recognition and Awards

Gaev has been widely recognized for his contributions to the metro industry. He became chairman of the International Union of Public Transport's Assembly of Metros in 2002. He is also an academician at the Russian and International Academy of Engineering and a member of the board of the Federal Railway Transport Agency.

Gaev has been awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland (IV and III degrees), the Order of Honor, the "Honorary Railwayman" and "Honorary Builder" titles.

Personal Life

Gaev is married with two children. He is an aficionado of jazz and Russian history, and his favorite authors include Soloviev, Gilyarovsky, and Radzinsky.