Security Council Secretary says high quality public transport requires higher fares

Security Council Secretary Alen Simonyan said on Wednesday that high quality public transportation cannot operate at a low fare over the long term and that citizens should pay an appropriate price for the service.

Speaking at a press briefing, Simonyan, referring to transportation costs and developments in the international fuel market, also recalled that Armenia has created a new route for importing petroleum products despite currently having two closed land borders.

“Our country is still closed off on two sides, and we have created an opportunity to buy petroleum products from our neighboring country [Azerbaijan] and meet our needs. The issue of Hormuz, the Iran-U.S. issue: do you think the price of transportation should remain 100 drams for 50 years, with no change of 20–30 drams regardless of what happens in the world?” Simonyan said.

He highlighted that improving the quality of public transportation also requires appropriate funding.

“I believe it should become more expensive, because I believe that the transportation you paid 100 drams for and the transportation you pay 150 drams for cannot be of the same quality,” the Security Council Secretary said.