The unpopular measure, effective from February 1, will replace the existing bus and minibus fees of 100 drams (25 U.S. cents) per ride with a complex tariff system involving electronic payments for season tickets. Commuters will have to pay 9,000 drams ($22) per month, 24,000 drams per quarter and 90,000 drams per annum for an unlimited number of bus, trolleybus or metro rides. More importantly, a ticket valid for 180 minutes is due to cost around 300 drams.
The two opposition groups represented in the city council have been actively campaigning against the higher bus fares. They have called on citizens to boycott them and continue paying 100 drams from February 1.
Avinian insisted as recently as on Monday that he will be not bow to the opposition pressure and will enforce the price hikes as planned. He reiterated that they are necessary for cutting losses incurred by Yerevan’s transport network and buying more buses needed by it. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian defended the measure in a televised interview aired over the weekend.
Nevertheless, the mayor, who is a senior a member of Armenia’s Civil Contract party, announced on Tuesday that the municipal administration will also introduce a new, one-ride ticket that will cost 150 drams. In a video address posted on Facebook, he said its price will remain unchanged this year and could only be raised by up to 10 percent annually from 2026 onwards.
The major concession did not satisfy the opposition campaigners, notably former Yerevan Mayor Hayk Marutian and his National Progress party.
“The mayor has a hearing problem because the public clearly says: 100 drams at most,” a senior member of the party, Grigor Yeritsian, wrote on Facebook.
The higher transport fees were initially due to take effect about a year ago. The municipal administration repeatedly delayed their entry into force in 2024 amid strong resistance from the opposition.