Baku Metro
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Baku Metro (Azerbaijani: Bakı Metropoliteni, in 1967—1991 also Lenin adına Bakı Metropoliteni, Russian: - V. I. Lenin Baku Metro) is a rapid transit system serving the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku. Opened in 1967, the system swelled into a modern network. Like most other ex-Soviet systems, many of the stations are very deep and exquisitely decorated, often blending national motifs with Soviet ideology.
General information
The capital of the independent Republic of Azerbaijan - Baku - is one of the largest cities (by land area) in the former Soviet Union, covering some 150 square km.
Baku and oil are two things that are closely tied with each other. Oil deposits in the Absheron were already widely known in ancient times. This led to the start-up and development of many large enterprises, including oil production and processing factories, as well as power, machinery, chemical, and metal enterprises in late 19th-early 20th centuries. The working settlements and residential areas of Baku were constantly developing and expanding around those industrial enterprises.
The beginning of the 30's marks the period of time when Baku became a densely populated industrial, cultural, and scientific center important not only in the Caucasus, but the entire former USSR. This is why after the building of Metro in Moscow and Leningrad in 1932, in the early versions of the General Plan of Development of Baku, the decision was made to build the fastest and most comfortable type of transportation--an underground Metro, which would help reduce the load of the ground transportation and clear the various narrow streets of the city from tram, trolley-bus, and bus lines.
| # | Name | Opened | Length | Stations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Line 1 | 1967 | 20.1 km | 13 |
| 2 | Line 2 | 1976 | 11.4 km | 7 |
| Total: | 31.5 km | 20 |
The Baku Metro operates in a standard Soviet design of having multiple radii intersecting in the centre of the city. Due to the city's uneven landscape some stations are very deep whilst some are actually at the surface level. All of the seven deep level stations have a pylon design while the more common shallow level stations are built to the pillar-trispan standard. There is also one surface station. In 2003, the system carried a total of 1.83 million people daily, on 228 metro cars.
History
In the early 1930s, large industrial areas with a high population density, along with steady development, all made Baku one of the largest cities in the Caucasus and the whole of the USSR. Following the example of Moscow and Leningrad, it was decided in 1932 to make the system of public transport more convenient by building the subway. This reduced the utilized capacity of public transport and prevented traffic jams in Baku.
Those plans were, however, frustrated by World War II during the years 1941-1945. It was only after the war had finished that the USSR Cabinet of Ministers issued a decree on the construction of the Metro in 1947. Several shafts and numerous tunnels were built during that period. Construction works were split into several stages in order to launch individual lines one by one.
The first line of Bakı Soveti, with a total length of 9.92 km along with a depot, was put into operation on November 6, 1967. Soon after in 1968, a 2.2 km branch, "28th May - Khatai" was launched.
As a result of the permanent concern and attention to the public transport from Heydar Aliyev, the scheme of transport development had been prepared. This fact determined the construction of the second turn direction. In order to provide residents of certain suburbs of Baku with fast and comfortable transport opportunities, most attention focused on the construction of the 6.3-km line Narimanov-Neftchiler. The Ulduz station came into operation in 1970, while Azizbeyov, Gara Garayev, and Neftçilər followed up later in 1972.
The construction of Northern Metro line was continuing and the Nizami station with a 2.2 km tunnel was released to operation in 1976.
The Bakmil station came to operation in 1979. It connected to the south-western part of the city, where large industrial enterprises, such as the Baku air conditioner plant, Electroshtamp, and others were located.
The second stage of Metro construction was completed in 1985. This resulted in the launching of Elmlər Akademiyası, Inshaatchilar, January 20th and Memar Ajemi Metro stations.
After the population grew by 300,000, Heydar Aliyev issued a decree to build a 5.1-km metro line, Neftchiler-Hazi Aslanov, to provide a fast and comfortable connection to the Ahmadli district.
In order to rapidly provide the Ahmedli suburbs with fast and comfortable communication opportunities, a decree was issued to release Halqlar Dostluğu and Ahmedli stations into operation. The construction of these stations was completed in 1989. The process of the construction and timely launching of the Baku Metro was numerously discussed by the Central Committee Administration and reflected in decrees issued by the Cabinet of Ministers, at the initiative of Heydar Aliyev.
The Jafar Jabarli station, built as transfer to the 28th May station, came into operation in 1993.
After the USSR collapsed in early 1990s, the building of new Metro stations, including Hazi Aslanov, station which was under construction, was stopped due to the difficult situation and withdrawal of capital.
After Heydar Aliyev came to power in 1993, the situation with Metro construction changed radically. In order to proceed with the construction of the Baku Metro, he issued the decrees to find the funding sources and to negotiate the attraction of the investments.
Old stations names
- Shaumyan (now Khatai)
- 11th Red Army (now 20 January)
- 28 April (now 28 May)
Expansion plans
Recent developments
The leadership of Azerbaijan held successful business negotiations with the European Union and the EU provided EUR 4.1 million for the completion of the Hazi Aslanov Metro station.President Heydar Aliyev put the task of finishing the station construction in 2002 before the Baku Metro Administration and Azertunelmetrotikinti.
These two organizations mobilized their energy for the construction of the station and involved private enterprises operating in Azerbaijan into that process, as well. These activities helped to fulfill the task in due time.
After the Hazi Aslanov Metro station was launched, Baku had 20 metro stations and metro lines of 31.5 km.
Future
In 2006 the Baku policy-makers changed the payment system for the Baku Metro. Instead of using coins, the Baku Metro now uses the newest RFID card system for access. The cards can be purchased cheaply but must be charged to use. This new system was an instant major success, and became very popular amongst passengers.
Eventually the Baku Metro will become a three-line, six-radius network forming a triangle in the city centre, as with many other former Soviet metros.
External links
- [Official website]
- [Urbanrail]
- [Information]
- [More information (in Russian)]
- [Baku Public Transportation]
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