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YEREVAN MAYOR: DECISION ON BUS FARE RATES ISSUE TO BE TAKEN AFTER COMMISSION'S FINDINGS
SOCIETY | 23.12.14 | 13:36
http://armenianow.com/society/59569/armenia_yerevan_bus_fare_mayor_taron_margaryan
RELATED NEWS
Minibus Strikes: Public transport drivers demand rise in fare amid
increase in LNG prices
The issue of bus fare rates in Yerevan will be decided only after the
results of an examination conducted by a corresponding commission
become available, according to the Armenian capital's Mayor Taron
Margaryan.
Enlarge Photo
Talking to media late on Monday after officially turning on the
New Year Tree lights and other city illuminations, Margaryan said:
"We have a commission and expect its findings. It is already clear
to all of us that some price increases have taken place, now the
commission will make additional calculations."
Last week dozens of minibus drivers went on strike demanding an
increase in public transport fares following a nearly 20-percent
rise in liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices at filling stations. They
threatened to stop their work unless either LNG prices were lowered
or fares were raised.
The price of one cubic meter of LNG rose from 190 to 230 drams (an
increase by near 10 cents) last week as the Armenian national currency,
the dram, was dramatically depreciating against the dollar and other
major international currencies. After currency market stabilization
later that week the dram settled at around 440-460 per USD, losing
more than 10 percent of its value since mid-November.
Yerevan Mayor Margaryan implied that the price situation after the
New Year holidays will influence further decision making regarding
bus fares.
"Since drivers of certain companies have voiced complaints in
connection with LNG price hikes as well as with increases of prices
for certain spare parts, we will wait until the end of January and
see whether these price increases persist or whether the prices fall,"
said Margaryan.
The bus fare in Yerevan is 100 drams. It has not changed for years.
Yerevan authorities' attempt to raise the public transport fare by
50 percent in 2013 met with strong opposition from civil activists
and the decision eventually had to be reconsidered.
SOCIETY | 23.12.14 | 13:36
http://armenianow.com/society/59569/armenia_yerevan_bus_fare_mayor_taron_margaryan
RELATED NEWS
Minibus Strikes: Public transport drivers demand rise in fare amid
increase in LNG prices
The issue of bus fare rates in Yerevan will be decided only after the
results of an examination conducted by a corresponding commission
become available, according to the Armenian capital's Mayor Taron
Margaryan.
Enlarge Photo
Talking to media late on Monday after officially turning on the
New Year Tree lights and other city illuminations, Margaryan said:
"We have a commission and expect its findings. It is already clear
to all of us that some price increases have taken place, now the
commission will make additional calculations."
Last week dozens of minibus drivers went on strike demanding an
increase in public transport fares following a nearly 20-percent
rise in liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices at filling stations. They
threatened to stop their work unless either LNG prices were lowered
or fares were raised.
The price of one cubic meter of LNG rose from 190 to 230 drams (an
increase by near 10 cents) last week as the Armenian national currency,
the dram, was dramatically depreciating against the dollar and other
major international currencies. After currency market stabilization
later that week the dram settled at around 440-460 per USD, losing
more than 10 percent of its value since mid-November.
Yerevan Mayor Margaryan implied that the price situation after the
New Year holidays will influence further decision making regarding
bus fares.
"Since drivers of certain companies have voiced complaints in
connection with LNG price hikes as well as with increases of prices
for certain spare parts, we will wait until the end of January and
see whether these price increases persist or whether the prices fall,"
said Margaryan.
The bus fare in Yerevan is 100 drams. It has not changed for years.
Yerevan authorities' attempt to raise the public transport fare by
50 percent in 2013 met with strong opposition from civil activists
and the decision eventually had to be reconsidered.