By Sara Israfilbayova
Salary cards [plastic cards] can be used for paying for public transport in Baku, said Mais Aghayev, the head of the Public Relations Department of Baku Transport Agency.
"It's early to talk specifically about the time frame of implementation of the project, in view of the fact that there are certain nuances that need to be addressed. We can say that the project is currently under development,” he said adding that it will also be possible to pop up balance of Baki Kart travel cards online.
As BakuBus LLC reported earlier, the initiative on application of payment for travel in public transport using bank cards equipped with contactless payment technologies should come from banks. These cards can be used to pay for travel, however, first of all, it is necessary to provide an appropriate level of security for this.
Card readers installed on the buses of the capital and in the Baku Metro are adapted to receive payment for travel, using PayPass contactless payment technology and to launch contactless payments using PayPass technology is required an agreement with MasterCard and with the acquirer bank.
Bank cards with the technology of contactless payments are issued by international Visa and MasterCard systems. Cards with PayWave technology are issued by Visa payment system and with PayPass technology – by MasterCard.
The principle of operation of both technologies is identical. Cards allow you to pay for purchases and services in one touch. It is enough to bring the card to the reader, wait for the sound sign and payment will be made. After that, an inscription appears on the display screen confirming that the amount has been written off.
Baku has shifted to cashless fare in August 2015.
Baki Kart cards are used to pay for travel in metro and bus routes of the company BakuBus. Purchase and download of cards are available in Baki Kart and MilliÖN terminals, the cost of the card is 2 manats ($1.17). In addition, Baki Kart with limited use, which costs 0.2 manats ($0.12) and for which it is possible to load up to 4 trips, is provided for guests and residents of Baku who rarely use public transport. The cost of one trip is 0.2 manats ($0.12).
