Starting April 1, Azerbaijan Railways (AR) has optimized the train schedule on the Absheron Circular railway, adding 61 additional trips across weekdays and weekends.
The company told Report that the increased frequency will raise daily passenger capacity from 37,000–38,000 to an estimated 48,000–50,000 travelers.
For the first time, separate timetables have been introduced for weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays:
✅ Weekdays:
Baku–Khirdalan–Sumgayit–Baku route: Increased from 24 to 36 trips.
Baku–Pirshagi–Sumgayit–Baku route: Increased from 42 to 56 trips.
Wait times during off-peak hours have been reduced
✅ Saturdays:
Baku–Khirdalan–Sumgayit–Baku: Increased from 10 to 16 trips.
Baku–Pirshagi–Sumgayit–Baku: Increased from 20 to 36 trips.
✅ Sundays:
Baku–Khirdalan–Sumgayit–Baku: Increased from 10 to 15 trips.
Baku–Pirshagi–Sumgayit–Baku: Increased from 20 to 28 trips.
Responding to passenger requests, a new 20:20 late-night service on the Baku–Khirdalan–Sumgayit route has been introduced.
Morning schedules are now optimized: The 06:15 Sumgayit train now reaches Baku by 06:56, ensuring a smoother start to the workday.
A brand-new FLIRT express train now runs directly from Khirdalan to Baku, arriving at 07:15—perfect for those with an 8 AM start.
A modern single-deck FLIRT train has been introduced on the Baku–Khirdalan–Baku suburban route. To accommodate this, Bilajary and Khirdalan stations have been upgraded with 550mm-high platforms for easier boarding.
"These improvements are designed to ensure passengers arrive comfortably and on time, especially during peak hours," the company stated. "The optimized train schedule will significantly enhance service quality on the Absheron Circular railway."