The briefing revealed weak strategic planning in the land transport sector of Azerbaijan

The weaknesses of strategic planning in the Azerbaijani land transport sector were revealed during a briefing on improving legislation, which was attended by representatives of the Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency (AYNA) and the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport.

Anar Rzayev, Chairman of the Board of AYNA, announced ongoing efforts to develop a transport system for the cities of Shusha, Lachin, and Khankendi in the Karabakh region. “Work is underway in Karabakh to carry out both intercity and intracity passenger transportation. We have already announced competitions for routes, including Barda-Khankendi and Baku-Lachin,” stated Rzayev.

Rzayev added that the innovations introduced under the Great Return initiative aim to improve transport infrastructure and services for citizens in the liberated territories. Current operational routes include Baku-Shusha, Baku-Aghdam, Barda-Aghdam, Akhmedbeyli (Fizuli)-Shusha, Terter city-Talysh village, Goradiz (Fizuli)-Agaly (Zangilan), Goradiz (Fizuli)-Hadrut (Khojavend), and Goradiz (Fizuli)-Lachin.

However, the briefing also revealed significant challenges in Baku's transport situation. Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rahman Gummetov disclosed that the number of taxis in the capital has halved following the introduction of new regulations. “Previously, 65,000 to 70,000 taxis operated in Baku. Now there are about 35,000. This figure was obtained using an electronic system. Regulation in the taxi industry will continue,” said Gummetov.

According to Rzayev, 11 individuals and legal entities in Azerbaijan have received permission to operate as taxi service providers. To date, 9,001 permits for taxi transportation have been issued, with 8,954 granted to private entrepreneurs and 47 to legal entities. Additionally, 11,854 vehicles have received pass cards, with 11,171 issued to private entrepreneurs and 683 to legal entities. Of these vehicles, 71% were produced between 2009 and 2015, and 29% between 2016 and 2024. This indicates a deviation from the government requirement that vehicles be no older than eight years.

Gummetov also highlighted an acute need for 1,000 drivers with Category D driver's licenses for BakuBus LLC due to the introduction of 160 electric buses and the return to operation of 200 conventional buses. “The shortage of such a large number of qualified drivers underscores the shortcomings of strategic planning in AYNA and the Ministry,” noted Turan.

Regarding parking infrastructure, Gummetov mentioned that approximately 19,000 parking spaces have been organized in Baku. “Every month we see an increase in parking discipline. Financial sanctions are provided for individuals and legal entities organizing illegal parking. It is also illegal to pay cash for parking,” he emphasized.

Despite these efforts, new parking rules in Baku have sparked controversy. Drivers are now charged an additional fee of 10 kopecks for each SMS message used to pay for parking. One driver expressed frustration, saying, “Previously, when sending SMS, the balance did not decrease, but now 10 kopecks are deducted.”

Critics argue that the new parking regulations focus more on generating revenue than addressing traffic congestion. They call for a more flexible and differentiated approach to parking pricing and better consistency in parking space management to truly alleviate the city's traffic issues.