Public transportation is more than just a way to get from point A to point B—it is a fundamental service that impacts the right to movement, work, and dignity. Following the recent changes to Yerevan’s transport fare system (enacted in February 2025), the A.D. Sakharov Armenian Human Rights Protection Centre has conducted a thorough review of the new regulations.
Our goal is simple: to ensure that modernization doesn’t come at the expense of the city’s most vulnerable residents. When we advocate for better bus routes or clearer signs, we are advocating for the rights of every citizen to move freely and safely through their capital.
While a unified ticketing system is a step toward a modern city, our legal experts and monitors have identified several critical gaps in the current implementation:
- The Digital Divide: The reliance on QR codes and mobile apps poses a significant barrier for the elderly and those without smartphones.
- Unusable Infrastructure: Many of the newly purchased buses have monitors and electronic displays that remain inactive or uncalibrated, leaving passengers—especially those unfamiliar with Yerevan—without route information.
- Payment Bottlenecks: The lack of diverse, physical payment locations at bus stops makes the transition difficult for tourists and everyday commuters alike.
The Sakharov Centre has submitted a series of formal recommendations to improve the quality of life for all passengers:
- Activate Information Displays: Technology should serve the passenger. We call for the immediate activation of on-board monitors to show real-time route maps and stop announcements.
- Multilingual Accessibility: To support tourism and international residents, all payment systems and route information should be available in English and Russian, as well as Armenian.
- Wider Payment Networks: Increase the number of physical terminals and card-purchasing kiosks at major transit hubs to ensure everyone can access the system fairly.
Read the full policy recommendation in Armenian here: