Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 7
By Emil Ismayilov - Trend: The introduction of the card payment system for public transport in Baku will start before the end of this year, head of Public Relations Department of Azerbaijani Transport Ministry, Namig Hasanov told Trend on November 7.
Previously, it was assumed that the process of introducing a new payment collection system will begin in September.
According to Hasanov, the postponement of the implementation of the new payment collection system is due to delays that have emerged with the importation of validators for reading the cards, as well as in the process of system's synchronization.
"Despite some delays, work continues according to plan. The first stage of implementation of the card payment collection system is planned before the end of this year," Hasanov said.
According to him, the implemented system requires clarity in the work, and therefore a delay is justified.
Under the first phase of the card system, the Ministry of Transport plans to cover 1,000 buses. In total there are currently more than 2,500 buses in Baku, and the process of their coverage by the new system is scheduled for completion by late 2014.
In order to use the card payment system, it is necessary to issue some 500,000 cards that passengers could use to make payments in the trading system, as well as for travel in the Baku Metro.
Cards are issued by the Bank of Azerbaijan, but a number of other banks are also interested in the process. The possibility of using benefits for various categories of the population has not been ruled out.