Yerevan to get rid of minibuses as part of new transportation network

A draft for a new transportation network has been developed for Yerevan in an effort to reduce the number of vehicles operating in the capital. The aim is to increase the number of buses and trams, to promote active use of the metro as well as to do away with minibuses. The number of routes and means of transport will be reduced almost threefold:

• There will be 42 routes instead of 115;
• The number of vehicles will be reduced from 2039 to 939.

The initiators of the project are confident that the various transport methods in the new system will be operating so as to complement one another.

“Transport will be equally available for all districts of the capital, providing safe, reliable and decent passenger services. To the consulting company’s credit it should be noted that it has done thorough work on developing the new project,” said Vahe Nikoyan, the First Deputy Mayor of Yerevan.

In his words, passenger transit will be carried out by articulated buses that are 18 meters in length and are designed for up to 150 passengers, along with 12 meter long buses with a capacity of 90-100 travelers.

“A uniform e-ticketing system will be introduced to ensure efficiency. There will be mobile apps with special e-schedule software as well as ticket machines and payment terminals. Some advanced technologies will be implemented to monitor travel fares,” said Nikoyan.

It is the first time that a professionally substantiated public transport network strategy is being developed in Armenia. WYG Consulting Co. initiated the project.