YEREVAN. – Mayor Taron Margaryan of Armenia’s capital city Yerevan spoke with several journalists, and below is an excerpt from the interview. 

Are [public] transport fare hikes expected?

The final result will be announced after the discussion of the [respective] committee.

Is it not possible to run [public] transport with today’s 100 drams [approx. $0.25]?

The first and foremost for me is the safe and high-quality commuting of Yerevan residents, and that we can provide the service.

That is to say, a [fare] hike is inevitable?

If we want safe commuting, quality service, yes; it is impossible to carry this out with this fare.   

Are you not afraid of a [resultant] civic outburst?

If we do not resolve the [public] transport problem today, we will not have [public] transport at all in Yerevan in the following years. That is why we must think about tomorrow and the coming years.    

Have you received [President] Serzh Sargsyan’s take on this matter?

The municipal authorities will resolve this matter, for which we have set up a committee, and we are carrying out our own work.