Minister of Transport speaks about plans to increase fare in public transport

The Ministry of Transport has submitted to the Tariff (Price) Council proposals for revising the fare on the city public transport. Last time the fares were increased in February 2007.

Minister of Transport, Ziya Mammadov, told journalists that "the cost of passenger transportation by bus  is above their value." Therefore, carriers appeal to  the Transport Ministry with a request to raise fares. He did not say which companies exactly appealed to the Transport Ministry, and how much the fare will be increased.  The Minister does know when the Tariff Council (TC)  will considers the appeal.

It is noteworthy that Ziya Mammadov again extended introduction in Baku payment cards on buses. According to him, it will take 1-2 years.

Until February 2007, the minimum fare on buses in Baku and other regions of the country and  cities was 10 gepiks. Then TC raised rates by 100%,  and defined maximum limit of fare in the urban  transport (except taxis) depending on the length of the road to 90 gepiks. 

In Azerbaijan, the fare is paid in cash directly to the driver. Depending on the route daily plan  is set (within 120-200 manat), which must be paid to the driver.  When driver are given a job  a driver pays a deposit. Formally drivers are full-time employees, and are paid at the minimum wage   (93.5 manat.) 

Talking to Turan,  the old  driver of the  Bus 90 said that the use of the card system  is not profitable for companies, because drivers  will receive certain social and labor warranty, and company revenues may decline, as the drivers will not be chasing each passenger.

It is noteworthy that even according to the official statistics of bus transportation in Azerbaijan is quite cost-effective. For example, in 2012, according to SSC,  the profit from passenger services  totaled 419.4 million manat, which is  by 4.1% more than in the previous year. The cost of transportation is much smaller - 168.6 million manat,   more by 18.6%. - 08--