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YEREVAN'S BUS-TICKET REVOLUTION?
EurasiaNet.org, NY
July 23 2013
July 23, 2013 - 1:25pm, by Giorgi Lomsadze
A bus boycott entered its third day in the Armenian capital, Yerevan,
on July 23, with hundreds protesting against an increase in public
and private transportation fees in the wake of a hike in the price
of imported Russian natural gas.
Fares have doubled or, at best, increased by 50 percent, depending on
the type of transportation. A bus ride now costs 150 drams, which is
just 35 cents, but is pinching wallets in this cash-strapped country.
And sapping patience among an urban population which has already shown
this year how economic hard-knocks can translate into protest power.
One crowd, gathered on July 23 in front of the office of Mayor Taron
Margarian, accused the Yerevan mayor of having business interests in
private bus companies. Six people were detained by police, but later
released. Scuffles with police persisted throughout the day.
Ironically, not a few bus drivers back the boycott, RFE/RL reported.
Many Armenian celebrities do, too, taking to the streets and offering
ordinary Armenians rides in their cars. The tactic, billed Free Car,
is meant to dissuade people from using public transportation and keep
the pressure up on the authorities.
Some Armenians feel that they have been duped by officials, who, they
claim, delayed the price hike until after the February 18 presidential
election, which saw President Serzh Sargsyan re-elected. The government
denies any such scheming.
http://www.eurasianet.org/node/67289
EurasiaNet.org, NY
July 23 2013
July 23, 2013 - 1:25pm, by Giorgi Lomsadze
A bus boycott entered its third day in the Armenian capital, Yerevan,
on July 23, with hundreds protesting against an increase in public
and private transportation fees in the wake of a hike in the price
of imported Russian natural gas.
Fares have doubled or, at best, increased by 50 percent, depending on
the type of transportation. A bus ride now costs 150 drams, which is
just 35 cents, but is pinching wallets in this cash-strapped country.
And sapping patience among an urban population which has already shown
this year how economic hard-knocks can translate into protest power.
One crowd, gathered on July 23 in front of the office of Mayor Taron
Margarian, accused the Yerevan mayor of having business interests in
private bus companies. Six people were detained by police, but later
released. Scuffles with police persisted throughout the day.
Ironically, not a few bus drivers back the boycott, RFE/RL reported.
Many Armenian celebrities do, too, taking to the streets and offering
ordinary Armenians rides in their cars. The tactic, billed Free Car,
is meant to dissuade people from using public transportation and keep
the pressure up on the authorities.
Some Armenians feel that they have been duped by officials, who, they
claim, delayed the price hike until after the February 18 presidential
election, which saw President Serzh Sargsyan re-elected. The government
denies any such scheming.
http://www.eurasianet.org/node/67289