YEREVAN. – Head of Armenian consumer’s association said the initiative on increase in public transportation fares in Yerevan will fail as there is much opposition.

Armen Poghosyan, chairman of the Armenian Consumers’ Association, said the municipality’s committee convened to discuss the fares has held only three meetings since July.

The regular meeting of the committee will take place in February. According to the municipality, the fares must be increased by 50-100 drams in order to improve the quality of public transportation.

Last year Yerevan Municipality’s decision to increase the public transport fares in the city had brought about outbursts, several groups were formed in the social networks, and the initiatives were staging protests and distributing pamphlets against this decision. In addition, the Free Car initiative was launched, along the lines of which Armenia’s numerous well-known personalities, MPs, and ordinary residents were providing—with their own vehicles—free transportation to the people.

On July 25, Mayor Taron Margaryan suspended the decision on the fare hike. A special committee was formed to discuss the matter.