In line with the “State Program for the Improvement of Transport Infrastructure in Baku and Surrounding Areas for 2025–2030,” measures in the public transport sector are being implemented in stages, this was stated in information from the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, APA reports.
It was noted that under the State Program, significant work is being carried out to upgrade infrastructure, construct new metro stations, procure new train cars and electric buses, and develop garages, depots, energy supply, and electric charging infrastructure to service the trains and buses.
A decree on improving the field of regular passenger transport by road was recently signed by the head of state to establish a sustainable financing mechanism aimed at maintaining consistently high-quality public transport services and renewing the bus fleet. This will accelerate the modernization of the bus fleet and the provision of high-quality passenger transport services.
Bus
Currently, private transport companies continue to bring modern buses using environmentally friendly technologies, such as electricity or compressed natural gas, into the country. In line with the State Program, both Baku and various regions of the country are being supplied with new buses.
In Ganja, the entire bus fleet has been renewed. The newly opened bus depot now houses 244 modern and comfortable vehicles used in the city’s route network. By the end of 2025, this number is expected to reach 280.
In 2025, around 100 environmentally friendly buses have already been put into service in the capital, and this number is expected to increase to 400 by the end of the year.
The renewal process has also covered Sumgait and the Absheron district, with 85 modern buses now available for passengers.
Additionally, 60 electric buses will be delivered to Nakhchivan by the end of the year.
This process is also being carried out in territories liberated from occupation. In line with the “Great Return” plan, the first priority is to provide electric transport to the cities of Lachin, Khankendi, Jabrayil, and Aghdam. These vehicles are already being brought into the country, and a dedicated depot is being prepared for them.
Overall, within the framework of these efforts, by the end of 2026, 143 electric buses are planned to be put into service for urban and regional routes in the liberated territories, and 19 electric buses will be used for intercity (inter-district) transportation.
Metro
Within the framework of the State Program, significant steps are being taken to expand the capital’s metro system. Currently, the design work for 10 new stations is nearing completion. According to the plan, construction of these stations is expected to be completed and put into operation within the scheduled timeframe. One additional station is planned to be opened to passengers in 2026.
Efforts are also ongoing to renew the metro’s train fleet. Recently, 65 new train cars have been purchased, 35 of which have already been put into service. The remaining 30 cars are expected to be operational for passengers within the current year. By 2030, an additional 299 new-generation train cars are planned to be procured and deployed across metro lines.
Decision on Tariffs
In order to ensure the sustainability of passenger transport services and achieve the goals set out in the State Program amid the growing need for higher-quality public transport, a decision has been made to regulate tariffs, and new fares have been approved:
- Metro transport: 0.60 AZN per trip.
- Regular city (including district) and suburban bus routes meeting modern requirements and operating exclusively via cashless payment systems: minimum fare 0.60 AZN (fares vary depending on distance).
These tariffs will take effect on October 1, 2025.
The new fares will apply to bus routes within Baku city that meet the specified requirements, operate on electric or compressed natural gas (CNG), and accept only cashless payments. Initially, this change will cover about 30% of the existing network meeting these requirements. Routes that do not meet the requirements will not see a fare change.
At the same time, the tariff change will also apply to regular bus routes operating between Baku-Sumgait, Baku-Absheron, Sumgait-Absheron, and other cities and districts. This will apply to buses using electric power, CNG, or diesel fuel produced after January 1, 2025, and operating exclusively via cashless payment systems.
The tariff adjustment is expected to positively impact financial sustainability for carriers, accelerate the renewal of the bus fleet (with approximately 400 new buses expected to be procured and put into operation annually in the coming years), provide payment convenience for passengers, promote the use of eco-friendly buses, and increase transparency in passenger transport.
Additionally, carriers will be encouraged to transition to cashless payment systems, which will create the technical foundation for implementing differential tariffs in passenger transport.
