Starting next week, the Baku-Tbilisi-Baku passenger train will resume operations.
Ticket prices to Tbilisi when departing from Baku start at 81 manats for the comfort class, 117 manats for the comfort+ class, and 180 manats for the luxury class; when departing from Yevlakh, prices start at 67 manats for the comfort class, 94 manats for the comfort+ class, and 144 manats for the luxury class; when departing from Ganja, prices start at 62 manats for the comfort class, 86 manats for the comfort+ class, and 132 manats for the luxury class; and when departing from Agstafa, prices start at 57 manats for the comfort class, 78 manats for the comfort+ class, and 120 manats for the luxury class.
The starting price of a ticket on the Boyuk Kesik-Gardabani route is 51 manats for the comfort class, 68 manats for the comfort+ class, and 102 manats for the luxury class.
Prices are determined by the "Azerbaijan Railways" Closed Joint-Stock Company. The trains will operate with modern "Stadler" carriages.
The "Azerbaijan Railways" CJSC has stated that international ticket prices are formed based on the local exchange rate of the Swiss franc and can vary due to exchange rate differences: "Ticket prices for the Baku-Tbilisi-Baku route are also determined based on the Swiss franc to manat rate in settlements with Georgia. Additionally, for international routes, each country through which the train passes applies a tariff coefficient. Prices are also influenced by weekends, holidays, and seat selection, just as with domestic routes."
Comments seen in the national media and social networks make it clear that some individuals are dissatisfied with the ticket prices of the Baku-Tbilisi-Baku passenger train. They believe that prices should be set at a lower level.
So, is there a way to change the prices set by the "Azerbaijan Railways" CJSC? Is there a legal mechanism that, if used, would make it possible to reduce ticket prices? Or is everything solely dependent on the will and fairness of the "Azerbaijan Railways" CJSC?
Answering the questions from Medianews.az, legal expert Əkrəm Həsənov said that, as indicated by its name, "Azerbaijan Railways" CJSC is considered a commercial organization: "Although it is state-owned, it is a commercial organization. That is, its main purpose is to make a profit. But before making a profit, it must at least cover its own costs. We always say that state organizations, state bodies, and state companies work inefficiently. That is, they do not cover their own costs and receive additional money from the state. Here, it is clear that a train, especially such a train, is a rather expensive means of transport, and its costs are high. From this perspective, if we look at the issue comprehensively, the prices are fair. Abroad, the prices of such trains are roughly similar.
Personally, I do not think the price should be reduced. Of course, if they want, they can reduce it, but what would happen then? The joint-stock company would operate at a loss and would demand additional funds from the state budget. The state budget is us, so our money would be given there. Even the money of citizens who do not use this railway transport to go to Georgia would be directed there. For this reason, I consider the price fair.
It is true that the price was cheaper before, but during the past period, prices have increased in Azerbaijan. In any case, the price of the train is cheaper than the airplane fare.
Basically, it was expected that prices would be like this, meaning not cheap. This is called a market economy. That is, if someone provides us with a service, they must cover their costs and make additional profit. This is the rule of the market economy.
Therefore, we should focus our attention elsewhere: what should we do, how should we do it so that people's income increases? Jobs should exist for everyone so that everyone can afford such expenses.”
Nailə Qasımova,
Medianews.az