Citizens refuse to pay fares because problems remain unresolved: Gevork Stepanyan

Gevork Stepanyan, a member of the Mother Armenia faction in the Council of Elders of Yerevan, stated in an interview with Alpha News that the reforms promised after the increase in public transport fares have not been implemented.

“The authorities misled people when they said that after raising fares to 300 drams, passengers would no longer have to wait for hours at bus stops, would be able to travel comfortably, and that smart stops would be introduced. But there are not even basic stops with canopies, let alone smart ones, people still wait for transport for hours,” he said.

According to the council member, this situation has led citizens to refuse to pay for public transport. He noted that fare evasion has become widespread and that people are acting cohersively.

“At first, the citizens were blamed, then those who issue fines, and now drivers are being blamed for everything. The mayor simply wants to pit drivers and Yerevan residents against each other,” he emphasized.

In Stepanyan’s view, drivers have no responsibilities beyond operating the vehicle and cannot simultaneously ensure safe driving while also monitoring fare payments.