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PROSPEROUS ARMENIA, BAREV YEREVAN BLOCS SKEPTICAL ABOUT FARE COMMISSION
21:34 18.09.13
The Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) and Barev Yerevan (Hello Yerevan)
blocs in Yerevan's City Council are skeptical about the role of the
commission set up to discuss the transport fare.
David Sanasaryan of the Barev Yerevan bloc told Tert.am that the bloc
will not be represented in the commission.
"Our representative will not participate in the discussions as Yerevan
Mayor Taron Maragryan's letter does not say anything of the commission
member's powers. We have applied to court for invalidation of the
decision raising the transport fare," he said.
"Reliable sources informed us that the Yerevan Municipality is forcing
transport companies to address a letter and state they are no longer
able to render transport services at fare rates lower than AMD 150
per passenger," he said.
Secretary of the PAP parliamentary group Naira Zohrabyan said:
"We must be well informed of the commission's tasks. The letter we
have receives does not throw light on it. If the commission is going
to discuss the quality of transport services and the disgraceful
transport situation in Armenia's capital, we show understanding.
However, if the commission's task is to raise the transport fare
and simulate hard work, which will be followed by a statement that
a fare rise has no alternative, the PAP is not going to participate
in the discussions.
The PAP intends to discuss the issue and apply to the city authorities
for more detailed information.
"Our position remains unchanged: in the current social conditions
the fare cannot be raised at any pretext," she said.
In his turn, Mr Sanasaryan said that a fare rise may cause public
discontent.
With respect to the claims that protests will not produce any results
as the decision will be made by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, he
said: "Why do you think that the previous decision was made without
Serzh Sargsyan's consent? I am sure that Baghramyan 26 [Armenian
presidential residence] OK'd that decision and later demanded that
it be suspended."
Sanasaryan stressed that the decision is not in citizens' interests.
Ruzanna Grigoryan of the Paying 100 drams movement strongly objects to
the decision. "We must call to account the people that approved the
decision." No public hearing has so far been held, and the decision
meets private companies' interests, she added.
Actor Haik Marutyan believes that the decision is natural provided
Yerevan residents are richer now. "But if not, protests are natural. I
think it is a defense reaction," he said.
Many people in Armenia "can hardly make both ends meet" and they will
have to stop using transport because of the fare rise.
"If the people could pay they would never protest," the actor said.
Armenian News - Tert.am
21:34 18.09.13
The Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) and Barev Yerevan (Hello Yerevan)
blocs in Yerevan's City Council are skeptical about the role of the
commission set up to discuss the transport fare.
David Sanasaryan of the Barev Yerevan bloc told Tert.am that the bloc
will not be represented in the commission.
"Our representative will not participate in the discussions as Yerevan
Mayor Taron Maragryan's letter does not say anything of the commission
member's powers. We have applied to court for invalidation of the
decision raising the transport fare," he said.
"Reliable sources informed us that the Yerevan Municipality is forcing
transport companies to address a letter and state they are no longer
able to render transport services at fare rates lower than AMD 150
per passenger," he said.
Secretary of the PAP parliamentary group Naira Zohrabyan said:
"We must be well informed of the commission's tasks. The letter we
have receives does not throw light on it. If the commission is going
to discuss the quality of transport services and the disgraceful
transport situation in Armenia's capital, we show understanding.
However, if the commission's task is to raise the transport fare
and simulate hard work, which will be followed by a statement that
a fare rise has no alternative, the PAP is not going to participate
in the discussions.
The PAP intends to discuss the issue and apply to the city authorities
for more detailed information.
"Our position remains unchanged: in the current social conditions
the fare cannot be raised at any pretext," she said.
In his turn, Mr Sanasaryan said that a fare rise may cause public
discontent.
With respect to the claims that protests will not produce any results
as the decision will be made by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, he
said: "Why do you think that the previous decision was made without
Serzh Sargsyan's consent? I am sure that Baghramyan 26 [Armenian
presidential residence] OK'd that decision and later demanded that
it be suspended."
Sanasaryan stressed that the decision is not in citizens' interests.
Ruzanna Grigoryan of the Paying 100 drams movement strongly objects to
the decision. "We must call to account the people that approved the
decision." No public hearing has so far been held, and the decision
meets private companies' interests, she added.
Actor Haik Marutyan believes that the decision is natural provided
Yerevan residents are richer now. "But if not, protests are natural. I
think it is a defense reaction," he said.
Many people in Armenia "can hardly make both ends meet" and they will
have to stop using transport because of the fare rise.
"If the people could pay they would never protest," the actor said.
Armenian News - Tert.am