New Times leader urges govt. to follow Brazil’s suit in transport hike reversal

PanARMENIAN.Net - New Times party leader urged the government of Armenia to follow the suit of Brazilian President in rolling back transport hikes.

Aram Karapetyan slammed the government for lack of reaction to recent protests over the increase of transport fare. However, he noted that President Serzh Sargsyan is unable to halt the hike by forbidding the owners of transport lines to increase the fare.

The executive director of the Movement Against Lawlessness Larisa Alaverdyan, in turn, called for cardinal change in the government’s transport policies.

Last month, Brazil reversed an increase in bus and subway fares that ignited anti-government protests that spread across the nation.

On Thursday, July 18 a 50% increase in public transport price was confirmed, with passengers to be charged AMD 150, up from AMD 100.

The increase fuelled rallies, with several car owners joining the protesters by offering free transportation. The activists are distributing leaflets urging against paying AMD 150, some are still paying AMD 100 in protest.