Azerbaijan announces introduction time of new payment system in public transport
By Sabina Idayatova
The introduction of the card payment system for public transport will start before the end of 2013 in Baku, Head of the public relations department of the Azerbaijani Transport Ministry Namig Hasanov reported.
The new public fare system was previously slated to start in September.
According to Hasanov, a short delay in the transfer of implementation of the new fare system was due to problems with the importation of card reader validation, and in the process of synchronization systems.
"Despite these delays, the work on the project continues with the first stage of the card fare system's implementation ready before the end of this year," Hasanov said.
According to the ministry spokesman, work on the introduced system requires clarification, and therefore a delay is justified.
Within the first stage of card system application, the Transport Ministry plans to add 1,000 buses. At present, more than 2500 buses operate in Baku, and the process of their coverage with the new system is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2014.
More than 500,000 cards are needed for the transition of the card fare system that passengers will be able to use them for payment in retail establishments and the Baku subway. The issuance of cards is carried out by Bank of Azerbaijan, however, some other banks are also interested in the process. Moreover, these cards may benefit the population in other ways.