Experts on Increase in Transport Fares

Baku / 07/31/18 / Turan: The night rise in prices for public transport has become the main topic of discussion in social networks. Users sharply criticize the Tariff Council for this step.

MP Fazil Mustafa believes the price increase will not be limited only to public transport and will spread to other areas.

According to him, raising the tariffs for public transport will have a serious impact on the well-being of citizens. "This is especially difficult in the current period, when the incomes of the population are so limited," he said.

The economist Natig Jafarli believes the price increase was expected. For a long time, the subway is subsidized, where the cost of travel is estimated at 50-55 gapiks. The increase in prices will hit first of all on state-budget workers and low-income people, which means 10-12 manat of additional expenses per person per month. In addition, the costs of utilities, diesel fuel and electricity can increase, Jafarli said.

The economist Gubad Ibadoglu believes this decision was ready for a long time. The increase in prices will affect the growth of inflation and stimulate the growth of prices for travel in a taxi. After the completion of the period of agricultural work, you can expect an increase in prices for diesel fuel and fuel oil.

To reduce the negative impact of price increases, the authorities should take steps to support low-income families. We need concrete steps to support students and issue preferential cards for passengers in the subway and on other public transport at the same prices, the economist noted.

Concerning comparisons with neighboring countries, Mammadli accused the Azerbaijani authorities of deception and hypocrisy. Thus, the minimum wage in Turkey is just over 2 thousand lira, which equals 710 manat. Travel by public transport costs 0.44 manat and you can make 1,601 trips for this amount. In Azerbaijan, the minimum wage is 130 manat and 433 trips can be made for this money on public transport, Mammadli said.

Former deputy Nazim Baydamirli writes that bus passenger transportation is a private sphere of business. At the same time, the authorities create a state-owned company Baku Bus and invest millions of dollars there and increase the cost of travel through the Tariff Council.

All this testifies to the absence of a market economy and monopoly in the country, Baydamirli said.

The economist Samir Aliyev believes the current price increase will not be the last. Next to increase are prices for fuel, gas and water, he said.

The economist Gadir Ibrahimli believes the wave of price increases will become universal - this is the position of the government. Such steps against the backdrop of rising oil prices and the stabilization of the manat rate are inexplicable. The authorities once again decided to reach into the pocket of ordinary citizens, he said. -05B-