Yerevan Mayor refutes April 1 transport fare hike rumorsMarch 20, 2014 - 16:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan refuted the media-spread rumors on transport fare hike to be imposed starting April 1. He officially confirmed that no increase was in order, urging media to refrain from unfounded predictions. "The public transport fare is unlikely to be raised in Yerevan by the end of this year," the head of Association of Consumers of Armenia Armen Poghosyan said on February 1, ARKA reported. On July 20, 2013, public transport fare in Yerevan was increased from AMD 100 (24.4 cents) to AMD 150 (36.5 cents) flaring 6-day protests under “Won’t Pay 150” slogan. Later, Yerevan Mayor canceled the decision, instructing to set up a commission to review intracity transport fare. Poghosyan was skeptical that the municipality would increase the fare considering last year’s protests. However, Poghosyan was displeased with the work of the commission which avoids public discussions on the issue and refrains from reporting on the results of its activity. On January 30, Armenia’s minister of transport and communication Gagik Beglaryan said no increase in public transport fare is expected in Yerevan. Earlier, on October 29, 2013, deputy mayor Kamo Areyan told reporters the fare will be most probably increased, the current one being insufficient to provide proper functioning of transport. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |