AZE.US
Azerbaijan has launched a facial recognition payment system in public transport for the first time, marking a new digital stage for the country’s railway network.
The project is being implemented by Azerbaijan Railways together with AzInTelecom. Starting May 15, passengers can pass through turnstiles without using a physical transport card or a mobile phone, after activating the service in advance.
The new system allows passengers to enter the platform within seconds after facial identification. Officials say the main goal is to speed up passenger flow, especially during peak hours, and reduce dependence on physical cards, card balances or mobile devices.
At the initial stage, the service is available on the Absheron circular railway route at Baku Railway Station, Sumgayit Railway Station and the Koroglu stop. Azerbaijan Railways plans to expand the system to other stations in later phases.
According to ADY representative Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, the service is integrated through SimaPay and the virtual card inside the ADY Mobile application.
To use the system, passengers must open the ADY Mobile app, enter the facial recognition access section, review and accept the rules, and confirm facial identification through SimaPay. Once activated, the passenger can pass through the turnstile after facial recognition.
Azerbaijan Railways says similar contactless payment technologies are already used in a number of developed countries. The company says the launch at several high-traffic points is only the first step, with broader use planned across the national railway network.
AZE.US