Azerbaijan Railways CJSC (ADY) has launched the "SIMA Pay" facial recognition payment system, marking the first implementation of biometric technology in the country's public transport sector.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing the joint-stock company, that the new system is currently available at turnstiles located at the Baku Railway Station, Sumgait Railway Station, and Koroglu stop along the Absheron circular railway route.
This innovative step allows passengers to pass through turnstiles quickly and conveniently without the need for physical cards or devices. To utilize the service, passengers can activate the "Pass with facial recognition" section within the "ADY Mobile" application. The integration of the "SIMA Pay" digital ecosystem with the ADY Mobile virtual card aligns Azerbaijan with global "Face Pay" trends, enhancing security and minimizing risks such as lost cards or insufficient balances.
In recent years, ADY has focused on increasing passenger satisfaction through digital transformation. The modernization of the Absheron circular railway has transitioned service delivery to a new stage, eliminating the need for physical ticket queues. Passengers now predominantly use bank cards, NFC technology, and the mobile app for seamless travel. According to official statistics, the number of "ADY Mobile" users has exceeded 400,000 since its 2023 launch, with approximately 80 percent of regional passengers purchasing tickets online.
The digitalization of Azerbaijan's transport infrastructure is a key component of the country's broader "Smart City" and "Smart Village" initiatives. By adopting biometric solutions and integrating state services like the "My.gov.az" portal for digital identification, Azerbaijan continues to modernize its transit network to meet international standards of efficiency and passenger comfort.
