Transition of Baku bus services to card payment to be completed this year
Transition of bus services in Baku to a card payment system is planned to be completed by the end of 2013, Deputy Transport Minister Musa Panahov said on Wednesday.
"The gradual application of a card payment system on buses will be started in May this year," Panahov said.
According to him, most of the work which has already been completed along with the installation of the necessary equipment in the buses, establishing communication of the payment system with banking centres, distribution of prepaid cards and educating drivers and passengers starts in 10 days.
"First of all, the new payment system will cover downtown and uptown buses and those running in the Baku suburbs," the deputy minister said.
The new payment system will allow passengers to pay for bus trips not only by special payment cards, but also by bank cards, Panahov said.
According to the deputy minister, application of the card payment system will allow transition to the wage system for drivers, affecting the quality of services provided to passengers.