AZE.US
Passengers in the capital of Azerbaijan say they have noticed unusual charges when paying for bus rides with contactless bank cards. Transport operator BakıKart says the issue is not a system failure but a normal delay in how payments are processed.
Passengers in Baku have begun reporting unexpected charges on their bank cards after paying for bus rides using contactless payment.
Some commuters say money was deducted from their accounts even on days when they claim they did not use public transport. Others report that payment notifications arrive several hours – or even a day – after the trip, creating confusion among users.
Several passengers interviewed said the delayed notifications made them suspect that their cards might have been blocked or that unauthorized transactions were taking place.
However, the transport payment operator BakıKart says there is no security risk involved.
According to the company, when passengers tap a bank card on a validator in buses or metro stations, the system immediately registers the trip and allows the passenger to pass within about one second.
The actual deduction of funds from the bank account, however, may occur later – sometimes several hours or even a few days after the ride. The notification about the transaction is sent by the passenger’s bank rather than the transport payment system.
Officials say this payment structure is designed to ensure that passengers can move through transport gates and validators quickly without delays.
The system can also temporarily allow passengers to travel even if their bank card does not have sufficient funds at the moment of validation. In such cases, the fare may be deducted later once the card balance is replenished.
BakıKart also noted that a promotional campaign is currently in place: every Monday, passengers who pay with a contactless bank card can take their first trip on buses or the metro for just 1 gapik.