Azerbaijani President Reviews New Electric Buses and Railway Reconstruction in Nakhchivan

On August 11, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva viewed new electric buses to be put into service in the city of Nakhchivan and familiarized themselves with the reconstruction works of the railway infrastructure of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev and Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC Rovshan Rustamov informed the head of state and the First Lady about the work done.

First, President Ilham Aliyev was provided with information about the railway construction projects along the Zangezur corridor. It was noted that after the completion of these projects, the railway's throughput capacity will amount to 15 million tons per year. The 30-kilometer section covering the Horadiz–Yukhari Marjanly–Soltanly stations has been put into temporary operation, and since May 2024, cargo transportation has been carried out along it to the Araz Valley Economic Zone Industrial Park. To date, a total of 43,000 tons of cargo have been transported in this direction.

It was noted that the design of the Nakhchivan railway line and construction works began in 2025. Currently, the length of the line is 188 km; according to the new project, it will reach 194.2 km. It is planned to reconstruct 10 stations and 3 passenger platforms.

Currently, the design of the 7-kilometer section of the Nakhchivan railway line from Salamlik station to the state border with Armenia has been completed, and construction works have begun. Part of the work on creating engineering and infrastructure systems on the territory has already been completed, while part is still ongoing.

7 km of rails and 7,000 sleepers have been delivered to the territory. By the end of September, it is planned to lay a 6.3-kilometer section of the upper track structure here. On the remaining section, located 700 meters from the border, construction and installation works are planned to begin after the completion of demining works and the preparation of the project along the TRIPP route in order to coordinate projects. At the same time, in the future, it is planned to ensure technical and design compliance of the section from Sadarak station to the state border with Turkey with the Kars–Igdir–Dilucu railway, which is being built by the Turkish side. Currently, the Turkish side is carrying out design works on the mentioned railway line.

It was noted that in accordance with the Order "On additional measures in the field of regulating public transport in the city of Nakhchivan" signed by President Ilham Aliyev last year, with the aim of organizing passenger transportation in the city's public transport system exclusively with electric buses, 60 BYD buses assembled in the country, 8.7 meters long, with a capacity of 53 passengers each, were purchased, charging devices were installed, and the depot infrastructure for bus maintenance was improved.

A digital dispatch and monitoring system has been established for traffic management, and the buses have the capability for cashless payment via bank cards, QR codes, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

Thanks to the implementation of this project, high-quality service can be provided to 4.5 million passengers per year on 9 route lines in the city of Nakhchivan.

Bus movement will be tracked in real time through the Monitoring Center, which will ensure control over safe and uninterrupted passenger transportation.

The start of operations of BakuBus LLC in the city of Nakhchivan will make a significant contribution to improving the quality of public transport services and the full transition of payment processes to a cashless format.

On the territory of the depot, covering about three hectares, the necessary infrastructure has been created, including technical inspection and repair posts, an electric charging station with an automated accounting system, and a complex that allows washing 15 buses per hour. The depot will operate in two shifts, providing employment for 200 drivers and 22 administrative staff. The monthly salary of drivers will exceed 1,000 manats.