Паст инфо

Shortly before Yerevan Municipality disseminated the statement issued by Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan. The statement in particular reads:

 

"Dear city residents.

 

The decision on the review of the transportation fare was probably the hardest in the period of my office of Yerevan Mayor. The major issue requested a decision long time ago. From the first day of my office, I considered the modification of the transportation system to be my priority alongside constant searches of finding ways for keeping the transportation fare intact. 

 

We have worked very thoroughly, showing the ways of savings, our specialists constantly revealed the issues in the article for the deductions in the expenses, as a result of which we were able to keep the fare up to date. To be honest, at the beginning of summer I was sure that we would be able to step forward with the current rate and the fares would not raise.

 

I assure you that my assurance was not a mere desire but rather an approach reasoned with our daily work and other similar conditions. 

 

Unfortunately, the increased prices are directly connected with the market changes in recent times depriving us from the opportunity of even going forward with cosmetic amendments. The arguable decision and rapid move became inevitable. From one side is the issue of safe and dignified transportation of people, from the other - the increase of load in the current hard social conditions. In one hand is the avoidance of reaching the collapse of the transportation system and the awareness of not making the worn-out cars as a killer system; on the other hand is the importance of not creating additional load for the residents of Yerevan. Both are very important and alarming for me. 

 

Yes, I've made the decision for 150 AMD with difficulties, and very few people know how hard it was. But I knew I had no chance to avoid the decision, realizing that we could pay with human lives. In few years I would simply not forgive myself. This decision is not the end; this is simply the start of the process. Complete modification of the garage, establishment of the modern payment system, significant increase in the level of security, implementation of effective mechanisms for the target groups – those are the issues that she would rapidly resolve together. And we will resolve them. 150 AMD is the price we unfortunately need to pay for it. We simply do not have alternatives. 

 

Dear city residents.

 

At the same time, it is obvious that the in the context of the adopted principles we can not put the same burden on those social groups, for who special approaches will be given in the scope of uniform system of payments.  The formation of the system will take around 1 year, while the made decision puts the burden on pensioners, students and on the social unfavorable group. I have already ordered to create a committee made up of experts and interested parties, which will take several months to work out all the mechanisms that will allow us to complete the decision on “Reconsideration of the change of fare for intra-city transportation”. 

 

Dear citizens,

 

We are also closely observing the actions and calls of the youth taking place on the stops. I am happy to see the warmness, which today is again present among the residents of Yerevan in regard of helping each other. This warmness is a value that we should protect for reaching great and lasting things. At the same time I am sorry for the disrespectful behavioral that is sometimes noticed in connection with the drivers: in real those people that do the hardest job and do not receive appropriate remuneration are worth respect. There is no division between us and you. This is an ancient capital and there are we. And we together need to pay a tribute to Yerevan. For sure. Thanks you.”