Yerevan's public transport revolution: What passengers can expect in 2025
YEREVAN, December 20. /ARKA/. Next week, public transport ticket sales points will open in Yerevan, Yerevan Municipality Press Secretary Hayk Kostanyan said in an interview with Novosti-Armenia news agency on Friday.
According to him, citizens of the capital who do not wish to buy paper tickets will be able to purchase them online through a dedicated website.
Kostanyan also mentioned that starting from January 1, 2025, validators will be installed in all vehicles, allowing passengers to make payments using purchased tickets, applications, or QR codes.
Bus Replacement
Kostanyan further stated that the old “Hyundai” buses will be taken out of service and replaced with newly purchased “Zhong Tong” buses.
Ticket Control
In response to a question about the potential misuse of QR codes by multiple passengers and the measures being taken by the municipality, Kostanyan noted that appropriate legal solutions will need to be found.
"As in several European and other countries, tickets will be checked on buses. If the ticket is not valid, you will be fined. While the exact process is still unclear, discussions are ongoing," Kostanyan said.
On the Unified Ticketing System
Currently, a single ride on a bus or metro in Yerevan costs 100 drams, while a ride on a trolleybus costs 50 drams. Since November 1, payment for transportation is only accepted in 100-dram coins or through payment terminals, and since the end of November, payments can also be made with bank cards.
According to the municipality's project, starting from January 1, 2025, the cost of travel tickets will be as follows:
- 280 (300) drams - "90 minutes" ticket (for 3 rides)
- 880 (900) drams - daily pass (for 8 rides)
- 4800 (5000) drams - weekly pass (for 30 rides)
- 8800 (9000) drams - monthly pass (unlimited rides)
- 23,600 (24,000) drams - 90-day pass (unlimited rides)
- 88,800 (90,000) drams - annual pass (365 days, unlimited rides)
The first number represents the cost of online tickets, while the number in parentheses indicates the fare for a physical ticket.
When purchasing any tariff package, citizens will be able to use all types of public transport, including buses, the metro, and trolleybuses.
On Transportation Benefits
Starting from January 1, 2025, the following discounts will be provided:
- Free transport for children under 7 years old.
- 20% discount for schoolchildren aged 8 to 18.
- Free transport for orphaned schoolchildren aged 8 to 18.
- 30% discount for pensioners over the age of 63.
- 15% discount for students studying in Yerevan, regardless of their place of residence.
- Free transport for students who have lost one parent or are orphans.
- Free transport for individuals with 1st and 2nd degree disabilities.
- Free transport for children from orphanages and residents of retirement homes, as well as individuals receiving government benefits and assistance.
- 20% discount for heroes of the former USSR, Social Labor heroes, national heroes of Armenia, and holders of the Order of Glory.
- Free transport for parents of large families with four or more children.