The increase in the cost of travel on the metro and buses has caused discontent among residents of Azerbaijan.

From October 1st, public transport fares in Azerbaijan will increase by 20 percent.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," new rules for passenger transportation from the airport came into force at Baku International Airport on September 10th. Orders can be handled by special red vehicles of the "Baki Taxi" company. These measures were explained as "improving the quality of taxi services," Real TV quotes a press release from an unnamed agency. These measures have caused discontent among passengers. The Office of the Human Rights Commissioner believes that the new taxi fares at Baku Airport violate the right to equality and the principle of competition.

The Board of the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport has set new fares for passenger transportation on the metro and buses. According to a decision made today, starting October 1, the cost of a single ride on the Baku metro will be 0.6 manat (US$0.35). This will also be the minimum fare for regular intracity, inter-village, and suburban bus routes. The previous fare on the metro and bus routes was 0.5 manat ($0.29).

"The fare change will positively impact the financial stability of carriers, accelerate the renewal of the bus fleet (approximately 400 new buses are expected to be purchased and deployed annually in the coming years), ensure payment convenience for the population, encourage the use of environmentally friendly buses, and increase transparency in passenger transportation," the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport noted in a press release.

Fares will also be proportionally adjusted for regular bus routes operating between Baku, Sumgait, the Absheron region, as well as other inter-district and intercity services, a source in the ministry told the Caucasian Knot correspondent.

It is worth noting that Azerbaijan does not have trolleybus or tram services.

The fare increase has provoked mixed reactions from Baku residents. "The increase was only 0.1 manat. For a month now, officials have been actively speaking in the media, claiming that the cost of a bus ride is 1 manat, and even more on the metro. It seemed like they would actually double the fare. About 10-15 years ago, there were increases of 1.5 to 2 times, but only every few years," said Baku resident Nigar Aliyeva.

Iskender Akhmedov called the increase significant. "I use public transportation at least four times a day. And my daily expenses will increase by 0.4 manat. The transportation costs of my wife and two student sons will increase by about the same amount. Considering the jump in food prices, all this will have a noticeable impact on our family's financial situation," he said.

Musa Gamidov is also dissatisfied with the increase in public transportation fares. "They raise the cost of metro and public transportation here, and then they say that even after this increase, our prices are low compared to other countries in the region and the CIS. But at the same time, these officials keep silent about the fact that we are a country that produces gasoline, gas, and electricity," the man noted.