Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

The BakuBus Company, which provides a means of comfortable transportation for Baku residents and guests around the city, will also provide their passengers with free Wi-Fi.

The BakuBus Company is the government agency responsible for upgrading the city’s bus network. The modern red buses are equipped with air conditioning systems to make the journey more pleasant, especially in the heat of the summer.

At present, red BakuBuses numbered 1, 5, 6, 8 and H1 travel along five routes.

The payment system on these buses differs from those of other buses in Baku and can only be made using a BakiKart. The fare of 0.2 manats ($0.19) is universal for the most public buses in Baku.

At this price, passengers will soon be able to enjoy free Wi-Fi. The system has already been installed in all buses and at present, the company is looking for an operator to supply these buses with uninterrupted Internet connections.

BakuBus Deputy Director Vusal Kerimli said the issue with Wi-Fi would be resolved as soon as all BakuBuses begin operating in Baku.

“Wi-Fi is our last point. Today, our main goal is to improve our routes of public transport. Wi-Fi will be available on mobile phones,” he said.

Kerimli added that connection to the network is lost sometimes, which will not be pleasant for the passengers in the future. “Therefore, we want to install Internet on the buses as soon as the system is fully prepared for the process.”

The company now has 150 French-made Iveco buses. The new red buses are expected to change the transport culture of the city. In the future, the new buses will run along some 14 routes.

In addition, special rules are applied to BakuBus. These buses may only stop at designated bus stops. Each stop will be announced prior to stopping and the bus route is displayed on a special screen.

Bus line number 1 stretches from Koroglu metro station to 28 May metro station and in the opposite direction.

Bus route number 6 covers the distance from Azadlig Prospecti metro station to Elmler Akademiyasi metro station and Icheri Sheher station, as well as to Bayil settlement and others. Bus route number 8 starts from Azadlig Prospecti metro station and runs to the Palace of Heydar Aliyev and then to the 28 May metro station.

Route number 5 goes from Nariman Narimanov metro station until the 20 Area. H1 route runs from the Heydar Aliyev International Airport to 28 May metro station.

Buses operate from 6:00 a.m. to midnight at 2-3 minute intervals on weekdays and 5-10 minute intervals on weekends.

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Nigar Orujova is AzerNews’s staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @o_nigar

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