Baku, September 28, 2025
A new government-backed project could reshape traffic in Baku by introducing paid road zones designed to reduce private car use and encourage reliance on public transport.
Transport expert Eldeniz Jafarov told lKhazarTV, that the system would be straightforward to implement. Traffic in and around the city would be monitored, with access to designated payment zones overseen by a state-owned automobile company. Drivers could pay electronically via mobile apps or SMS, while records of who has paid – and who hasn’t – would be centralized.
The proposed zones would cover the busiest roads in the capital, replicating models that have long been in use in England, the United States, and Singapore. Pricing could vary depending on vehicle size and location, with daily, weekly, and monthly packages available.
Officials say the aims are threefold: to reduce harmful emissions, ease congestion in Baku’s city center, and strengthen the appeal of public transport.
“This system would be a major help for citizens,” Jafarov said, noting that fewer cars on the road would mean cleaner air and faster commutes.
The Cabinet of Ministers has confirmed a tight timeline. Within three months, budgetary action zones are to be formally established, with the president expected to submit proposals on entry fees. According to the plan, enforcement of the new rules would begin on January 1, 2027.
While the initiative has been welcomed as a step toward a greener, more efficient city, public reaction remains mixed. Supporters see it as long overdue, while skeptics warn it could place an additional financial burden on ordinary drivers unless public transport options improve in parallel.
