Baku Metro Accelerates: A New Era in the History of the Capital's Underground Transport

JSC "Baku Metro", part of the AZCON holding, has achieved a significant reduction in train intervals for the first time in 16 years.

As reported by BAKU.WS with reference to the joint-stock company, the number of train pairs has been increased from 30 to 32, which allowed for the implementation of a new, more frequent schedule. As a result of these changes, the interval between trains during peak hours has been reduced to 1 minute and 52 seconds. The last increase in the number of trains in the metro occurred in 2009, and since then the system has operated on the principle of a maximum of 30 train pairs per hour.

The step taken in 2025 is considered a strategically important progress in the development of the transport system of Azerbaijan's capital. Currently, Baku Metro serves an average of about 740 thousand passengers on weekdays. Previously, trains were deployed with an increasing tendency throughout the day, reaching 30 pairs during peak hours. Now this number has increased to 32. The concept of a "train pair" refers to the number of trains passing through a certain station within an hour, and is determined by the technical capabilities of the infrastructure, especially the train safety system.

As part of the development of the new train schedule:

- The old paper schedule used for organizing train traffic was abandoned, and new digital software was implemented;

- Signaling and control systems have been improved, entry-exit modes and station stops have been optimized;

- Training sessions were conducted for train drivers, and additional control measures were taken at stations. Thanks to the passage of an additional 4 trains through stations during morning and evening peak hours (a total of 3 hours), it became possible to transport an additional 19 thousand passengers.

On an annual basis, this means an increase in passenger traffic by approximately 5 million people. Taking into account the relevant regulations and safety standards, tests were conducted over the past month, which yielded successful results. Currently, although there is no increase in the number of passengers, the density on platforms during peak hours has relatively decreased. This is a positive result in terms of passenger comfort and safety, which will also create a foundation for increasing passenger traffic.

"Baku Metro continues its activities in the direction of technological modernization and human resource development with the aim of improving passenger comfort and safety," the statement notes.