The upcoming increase in Yerevan’s public transportation fare has raised concerns about affordability, as residents brace for a sharp price hike beginning January 1. On that date, the fare for a single ride will rise to 300 AMD (approximately 0.76 USD or 0.72 EUR), placing Yerevan among the most expensive CIS capitals for public transit, a stark contrast to the more affordable rates in many neighboring cities.
Here’s how Yerevan’s fare will compare with other CIS capitals:
– Moscow: 57 RUB (223.44 AMD / 0.57 USD / 0.53 EUR)
– Tbilisi: 1 GEL (138 AMD / 0.35 USD / 0.33 EUR)
– Chișinău: 6 MDL (128.18 AMD / 0.32 USD / 0.30 EUR)
– Baku: 0.5 AZN (113.30 AMD / 0.29 USD / 0.27 EUR)
– Minsk: 0.8 BYN (94.10 AMD / 0.24 USD / 0.22 EUR)
– Bishkek: 17 KGS (75.97 AMD / 0.19 USD / 0.18 EUR)
– Astana: 110 KZT (85.91 AMD / 0.22 USD / 0.20 EUR)
– Dushanbe: 2 TJS (72.26 AMD / 0.18 USD / 0.17 EUR)
As shown, Yerevan’s fare will be significantly higher than in most CIS cities, making it a heavy financial hit for residents, especially when compared to the more affordable rates in neighboring capitals.
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The Contrast with Major European Cities
To make matters worse, while Yerevan’s public transportation costs are set to soar, some European cities have prioritized making transportation accessible—even free—for their residents. Luxembourg, for example, became the first country to make public transportation completely free for all residents and visitors in February 2020. Similarly, Tallinn, Estonia, eliminated transportation fees for local residents in 2013, a policy also adopted in Valletta, Malta.
In sharp contrast, here are public transportation fares in several European cities:
– Bucharest, Romania: 3 lei (0.63 USD / 0.59 EUR / 243.75 AMD)
– Warsaw, Poland: 3.40 PLN (0.83 USD / 0.78 EUR / 319.34 AMD)
– Belgrade, Serbia: 89 dinars (0.80 USD / 0.74 EUR / 308.65 AMD)
– Budapest, Hungary: 350 HUF (0.91 USD / 0.85 EUR / 350.00 AMD)
– Athens, Greece: 1.20 EUR (1.31 USD / 1.20 EUR / 488.40 AMD)
– Prague, Czech Republic: 30 CZK (1.17 USD / 1.09 EUR / 450.75 AMD)
– Lisbon, Portugal: 1.50 EUR (1.63 USD / 1.50 EUR / 610.50 AMD)
– Madrid, Spain: 1.50 EUR (1.63 USD / 1.50 EUR / 610.50 AMD)
– Rome, Italy: 1.50 EUR (1.63 USD / 1.50 EUR / 610.50 AMD)
– Paris, France: 1.90 EUR (2.08 USD / 1.90 EUR / 772.90 AMD)
– Berlin, Germany: 2 EUR (2.18 USD / 2.00 EUR / 814.00 AMD)
– Vienna, Austria: 2.40 EUR (2.61 USD / 2.40 EUR / 976.80 AMD)
– Amsterdam, Netherlands: 3.20 EUR (3.51 USD / 3.20 EUR / 1,302.40 AMD)
– Copenhagen, Denmark: 24 DKK (3.39 USD / 3.16 EUR / 1,286.70 AMD)
– Oslo, Norway: 39 NOK (3.82 USD / 3.56 EUR / 1,448.90 AMD)
Though Yerevan’s new fare falls within this range, many of these European cities have a far higher cost of living and much stronger social programs that ease transportation costs for low-income and vulnerable groups.
Unlike most European countries, where social programs offer transportation discounts to low-income individuals, students, and seniors, Yerevan lacks these critical safety nets. In cities like Vienna, Berlin, and Paris, discounted rates are available to those in need, offering protection against the burden of rising costs. In Yerevan, however, residents face the full brunt of this fare increase with little relief, a decision that risks disproportionately impacting those already struggling financially.
Furthermore, Armenia’s economic conditions differ vastly from those of most European countries, making direct comparisons difficult. While Yerevan’s fare is moving closer to European standards, the absence of supporting social programs means that the financial strain will be felt acutely by residents, marking a concerning shift in the city’s public transportation policy.
