Azerbaijan.US
A public debate has emerged in Baku over proposals to link public transport fares to travel distance, with critics warning that such a system could disproportionately affect low-income commuters.
Commenting on the issue, politician Ilgar Mammadov noted that in most large cities, people with lower incomes tend to live farther from business and cultural centers due to cheaper housing, forcing them to travel longer distances each day.
According to Mammadov, a distance-based fare model could shift a greater share of transport costs onto lower-income residents. As an alternative, he suggested time-based tickets, allowing passengers to use buses and metro services freely within a set time window, regardless of distance.
He argued that time-based fares encourage more efficient route planning and faster travel, while distance-based systems may create incentives for longer or less optimized routes.
The discussion reflects broader challenges facing urban mobility in Baku, including balancing affordability, efficiency, and equal access to the city’s economic and cultural life.
