MOSCOW (AP) - London Mayor Ken Livingstone shared stories with Moscow's mayor Wednesday and planned a journey on the Russian capital's renowned subway system - perhaps in search of ideas of how to improve London's ailing Underground.
Livingstone arrived in Moscow on Tuesday evening and met with Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov on Wednesday morning. Luzhkov welcomed his London counterpart, whom the British press have dubbed "Red Ken" for his populist and leftist policies, and gave a brief rundown of Moscow's 855-year history.
Livingstone was also expected to meet Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and the head of the Moscow Metro, Dmitry Gayev, then ride the subway between two of its busiest stations, Komsomolskaya and Belorusskaya.
The Moscow subway - the world's busiest - was renowned in the Soviet era for its spotless trains, speedy service and stations that boasted some of the city's most expensive and grandiose architecture. The city-owned system has suffered since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, but trains still run every 90 seconds or so at rush hour and the stations are in better shape than counterparts in many richer nations.
Livingstone has vowed to improve London's struggling Underground system, and has repeatedly resisted attempts to privatize it.
Livingstone was formally sworn in as London's first elected mayor two years ago Wednesday.