Transport payment cards to be on sale in Baku next month
25.4.2013

Azerbaijan's Ministry of Transport is about to complete the preparations for the introduction of electronic payment system in public transport - passenger buses. Transport payment cards will be already on sale from the end of May.

Deputy Minister Musa Penahov says that software connected with electronic payments and its processing centers have already been tested: ‘Experience has shown that the system works, its software had been properly formed’.

Note that, the starting of electronic payments in buses will be the first experience with mass application of mobile payment systems in the country. The work of the system covers a number of important aspects - the use of cards, filling their balance, payment of departure fees, distribution and so on. The rules related to the use of cards are already ready.

Transport payment card is standard bank card according to its characteristics - its security and information transport systems are the same as regular cards.

The deputy minister noted that it would be impossible to use credit cards as means of payment method in – a special card will be will be issued in this regard. However, those cards will in future allow use in other transport services.

Penahov stressed that would be used as a form of payment for car parking, subway, taxi, and for small business opportunities in the future.

Installation of payment facilities has already begun in buses. Sale of the cards will begin on May 20. Firstly, the system will be available in the central part of the city: ‘This is about 1,000 buses. Then, it will applied in the other routes. Till the beginning of October, all public transport of the city will switch to electronic payment.

APA