AZE.US
Passengers in Baku are reporting sharp increases in taxi prices, with a trip that previously cost 10-12 manats ($5.90-$7.10) now reaching 20 manats ($11.80) even outside the traditional rush hour.
Drivers and taxi operators attribute the increases to dynamic pricing, temporary metro station closures, road restrictions and higher demand.
One resident of Zabrat said she previously paid 10-12 manats to reach central Baku, while her most recent journey cost 20 manats. She said the trip took place in the middle of the day, when traffic was lighter than during the morning and evening rush hours.
Other passengers have reported paying an additional 1-2 manats for familiar routes. The increase has been linked to the temporary closure of some metro stations, the start of the school year, restrictions during major events and increased pressure on public transportation.
Drivers Report Increases of 2-3 Manats
Taxi drivers say there has been no universal increase in fares. Instead, prices rise in areas where the number of orders increases sharply or the supply of available cars falls.
The most noticeable increases occur before and after school hours, during the evening rush, near temporarily closed metro stations, amid road restrictions and during prolonged traffic congestion.
Drivers estimate that fares typically rise by 2-3 manats ($1.20-$1.80) under such conditions. When demand is especially high, however, the increase can be significantly larger.
Who Determines the Fare?
Taxi fares in Azerbaijan are not directly regulated by the government. The final price is calculated by ride-hailing platforms according to supply and demand.
The calculation can include the time of day, road conditions, estimated trip duration, the number of available vehicles in a particular area and the volume of simultaneous orders.
A representative of the Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency said the price changes automatically through an algorithm and cannot be manually adjusted by individual drivers.
Once a driver accepts an order at the displayed price, the trip must be completed. The driver cannot subsequently demand additional payment from the passenger.
Some operators use a recommended minimum fare of 2.50 manats ($1.47), while companies determine their own upper limits.
Ride-hailing platforms say dynamic pricing is intended to attract more drivers to areas with high demand, protect driver earnings and ensure that vehicles remain available to passengers.
Up to 24,000 Taxis Operate Daily in Baku
Despite complaints about longer waiting times, the Land Transport Agency says the number of working taxis has not declined significantly.
About 22,000 to 24,000 taxis operate in Baku each day, compared with the city’s quota of 25,000 vehicles.
According to the agency, approximately 43,000 permits had been issued before the quota was introduced. New applications are now considered in sequence, and another permit can be issued only when the number of active vehicles falls below the 25,000 limit.
Officials say longer waiting times are caused less by an overall shortage of taxis than by their uneven distribution. One district may have a substantial number of vehicles but even greater passenger demand, while another may have the same number of cars and fewer orders.
What Passengers Can Do
If a driver accepts an order but refuses to complete it or asks the passenger to cancel because the fare is too low, the incident can be reported to the Land Transport Agency’s 141 hotline.
The agency says complaints are checked through its electronic system. A driver and vehicle involved in a confirmed violation may be suspended from passenger service.
The recent price increases therefore do not appear to represent a single citywide fare hike. They reflect a dynamic system in which prices rise as orders increase and the number of available cars in a particular area declines.
For passengers, however, the result is the same: a familiar 10-manat journey can now cost twice as much during periods of elevated demand.
AZE.US