Yerevan’s New Transport Network: No Driver Reductions Planned
Yerevan, February 2 – Reforms to the public transport system in Yerevan will not lead to a reduction in the number of drivers. This was announced by Yerevan Deputy Mayor Vahe Nikoyan, who heads the working group for public transport reform, during a press conference today. Nikoyan stated that the first meeting of the working group this year took place on January 18, where a draft project for changes in the public transport network was presented. “Today, we want to present it to the public,” the Deputy Mayor noted.
Optimizing the Network for Efficiency
According to Nikoyan, the main goal of the project is to optimize the network and make it more financially viable. The new network eliminates route duplication, ensuring all routes offer consistent quality. In total, there will be 42 routes, designed to cover the entire city. These routes will be sequential, meaning they will connect seamlessly.
Minibuses (route taxis) will be phased out and replaced by 939 new buses and 111 trolleybuses. The Deputy Mayor dismissed concerns that larger buses would not fit on Yerevan’s narrow streets, citing the experience of other cities with even narrower streets as evidence to the contrary. “Most importantly, it is necessary to instill respect for public transport among other road users,” Nikoyan emphasized. He also noted that this is currently a draft project, and each route will be developed individually. Any practical difficulties that arise will be addressed in a timely manner.
Improved Schedule and Service
Under the new plan, public transport will begin operations half an hour earlier, at 6:30 AM instead of 7:00 AM. Intervals between vehicles will be shorter, with an average waiting time of 3 minutes at stops. The Deputy Mayor assured that transport will operate according to a strict schedule. Fares will not depend on the number of transfers, though it is not yet clear whether fares will increase. “This issue is one of our priorities,” the Deputy Mayor affirmed.
No Driver Layoffs, Potential for New Jobs
A positive outcome of the reform is that there will be no driver layoffs. According to the reform project, each vehicle will have two drivers, which could even lead to the creation of new jobs. Additionally, the requirement for drivers not to smoke while at the wheel will be strictly enforced.
According to preliminary data presented by Vahe Nikoyan, 40 percent of the capital’s residents will be able to travel without transfers, approximately 30 percent with one transfer, and the remaining with two transfers.
Source: news.am
