Speaker of the NA justifies Yerevan's public transport fare increase

YEREVAN, January 21. /ARKA/. Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia, Alen Simonyan, thinks that the increase in public transport prices in Yerevan is justified.
"Why isn't there a movement to make public transport free? Let's face it – the price of transport can't remain 100 drams forever. The fight I led (against the 50 dram fare increase in 2012 – ed.) was against smoking drivers and 'GAZ buses of despair' without air conditioning. Paying 100 drams for a bus with Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a driver in a white shirt, who is fired if caught using his phone – I consider this to be false demagogy," Simonyan told journalists.
He acknowledged that there are issues but emphasized that time is needed to address them and to continue the reforms to completion.
On the Boycott Plans
On Wednesday, January 15, former Yerevan Mayor Hayk Marutyan met with residents dissatisfied with the transport fare hikes at the “Yeritasardakan” metro station.
He initiated a petition against the introduction of a unified ticket system (effective from February 1) and called on Yerevan residents to pay no more than 100 drams for bus rides starting that day.
About the Unified Ticket System
Since January 1, 2025, a unified ticket system has been implemented in Yerevan, under which cash payments are no longer accepted on buses, trolleybuses, and the metro. Several payment methods are available: paper one-time tickets with a QR code (from TelCell terminals), a mobile app, permanent travel cards (transport cards), and bank cards.
Starting February 1, with the full launch of the unified ticket system, several tariff plans will be available:
- 280 (300) drams - for the "90-minute" package (3 trips)
- 880 (900) drams - daily package (8 trips)
- 4800 (5000) drams - 7-day package (30 trips)
- 8800 (9000) drams - 30-day package (unlimited)
- 23,600 (24,000) drams - 90-day package (unlimited)
- 88,800 (90,000) drams - 365-day package (unlimited)
- 2200 (2100) drams - "10 trips" package (multiple uses)
- 480 (500) drams - to Zvartnots airport (1 trip)
The first figure represents the cost of online tickets, while the amount in parentheses is the fare for a physical transport card. When purchasing any tariff package, citizens will be able to use all types of public transport—buses, the metro, and trolleybuses.