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The capital of the former Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan has 1.7 million inhabitants and is situated on the hills by the Caspian Sea.

The metro network consists of 2 lines which were planned in the 1950's. The first stretch with five stations opened on 6 Nov 1967 between Baki Soveti and Narimanov (6.5 km). In 1968, a 2.4 km branch from 28 May to Khatai was put into service. Currently a new transfer station is being built at 28 May so that trains from two different lines don't have to share the same platform. The network was expanded gradually and reached its current length of 30.5 km in 2002. Stations have 100 m platforms which allow the use of 5-car-trains in service since 1985. Track gauge is 1524 mm, power supply is via third rail (825 V dc).

Line 2 is currently under construction towards the northeast although there is no clear date for completion. It will eventually be extended further east (4.5 km extension, 3 stations). Initially a 52 km network was planned for the year 2000. These plans included 10.2 km, 5-6 station extension of 2nd line to the east, and a third line, which would serve the southwestern parts of the city. Due to the dissolution of the former USSR and following economic problems the future expansion of the metro is in doubt.

Some stations were renamed in the 1990's, names given in brackets are original names found on older maps:

25 Nov 1967: Baki Soveti - Nariman Narimanov (6.5 km)
22 Feb 1968: 28 May (28 Aprel) - Xatai (Shaumyan) (2.4 km)
05 May 1970: N. Narimanov - Ulduz (2.7 km)
06 Nov 1972: Ulduz - Neftchilar (4.7 km)
31 Dec 1976: 28 May (28 Aprel) - Nizami (2.4 km)
28 March 1979: N. Narimanov - Bakmil
31 Dec 1985: Nizami - Memar Ajami (6.7 km)
28 April 1989: Neftchilar - Ahmedli (3 km)
27 Oct 1993: Cefer Cabbarli (3 km)
10 Dec 2002: Ahmedli - Hazi Aslanov (1.5km)

- other renamed stations: 20 Yanvar (XI Gyzyl Ordu Meydany), Qara Qarayev (Avrora), Sahil (26 Baki Komissary)
- from Jan. 2007: Baki Soveti > Iceri Seher

 Projects

Currently under construction (though suspended):

1) Memar Ajami - Darnagul (or Husein Javid) (4.1 km - 3 stations) - Nasimi (or Zarifa Aliyeva) station may open in late 2008 (1.1 km).
Khatai - Güneshli (10.2 km - 5 stations)

2) Completion of 2nd platform of Jafar Jabbarly station with connecting tunnels - for separation of the two lines

- OPERATION

The Baku metro operates 6:00 - 1:00, with trains every 2.5 min during peak hours, every 5-15 min during the rest of the day (90 sec headway possible).

- FARES

Single fare - 0.05 new manats (250 old manats) - since 2007, only paid with prepay cards

Baku Metropoliten (Official Page)

Baku Metro on Wikipedia

Baku Metasubway station

Baku Pages > Metropoliten

Baku Metro at Mir metro/Metroworld by Aksenov Dmitry

Baku Metro Track Map