When it comes to public transport, the most prominent image is the metro. Every day, hundreds of thousands of people use the Baku metro. In January 2025 alone, the number of passengers using the metro was nearly 18 million. In this respect, the recent unofficial news circulating on social networks in the Azerbaijani segment and on some websites about an increase in public transport fares especially highlights the metro, which is no coincidence.
Medianews.az reports that the Baku metro, which began operation in November 1967, had a fare of 5 kopecks in Soviet currency until January 4, 1992. In later periods, due to rapid inflation, the fare increased from kopecks to rubles.
The fare in the metro began to be paid in the national currency, the Azerbaijani manat, from the beginning of 1994. Since the Azerbaijani manat also rapidly suffered from inflation, the price did not remain at the initially determined limit of 3 manats, rising to 5, 20, and 50 manats, reaching 100 manats by the end of the year.
Later, the easing of inflation allowed the metro fare to remain stable at around 250 manats for almost 10 years. This was a very cheap price for that period. It was even noted that nowhere else in the world was metro fare this cheap.
On January 1, 2006, a denomination of the manat was carried out in the country. One new manat was equated to 5,000 old manats. Since 1 kopeck in the new currency equaled 50 manats in the old currency, the metro fare became 5 kopecks (250 manats in the old currency). Until the end of 2006, passengers had the option to pay the fare in either old or new currency.
From January 2007, the transition to the new manat was fully implemented.
From October 2009, the metro fare was increased to 15 kopecks.
From December 2011, the price was set at 20 kopecks.
From August 2018, the metro fare became 30 kopecks.
From February 3, 2023, the fare increased to 40 kopecks.
From July 1, 2024, the price increased again by 10 kopecks, making one fare 50 kopecks.
Thus, for almost 1 year and 2 months, the cost of one ride on the Baku metro has been 50 kopecks.
The Baku Metropolitan operates on three lines with 27 stations.
Toğrul Əli,
Medianews.az
