AZE.US
Delivery couriers in Baku say the lack of short-term parking spaces is forcing them to choose between violating traffic rules and losing valuable time while picking up orders.
As AZE.US reports, citing local media, the problem is especially acute on streets with large numbers of restaurants and cafes, where couriers often have nowhere to leave their motorcycles even for a few minutes.
“We have to deliver 10 orders just to cover the cost of one fine,” said courier Yunis Rahimov, who has worked in the industry for three years.
According to couriers, a parking or stopping violation can lead to a fine of around 60 manats ($35), while entering or stopping in a bus lane may result in a higher penalty and demerit points.
Workers say parking spaces near restaurants are usually occupied by cars, leaving little or no room for motorcycles and mopeds.
To avoid a fine, couriers may have to wait for a legal space to become available, park farther away and then walk back to the restaurant. This delays deliveries and can sometimes lead to canceled orders.
Couriers say the financial burden is significant because earnings from several deliveries may be needed to cover a single penalty.
They are calling for designated short-term parking zones near restaurants, allowing motorcycles and mopeds to stop legally while orders are collected.
Couriers argue that such spaces would reduce violations, speed up deliveries and ease the conflict between traffic regulations and the realities of their work.
Local journalists said they were unable to obtain a comment from the Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency.
AZE.US