Mayor says Yerevan must switch entirely to electric buses

Mayor Tigran Avinyan has instructed the city’s Transport Department to announce the next tender for the purchase of buses for Yerevan’s public transport system exclusively for electric buses.

Speaking at a City Hall executive meeting, the mayor emphasized the importance of ensuring that Yerevan’s transport network consists entirely of electric buses in the near future.

“In the next phase, we need to replace the Higer buses. It is already time for us to switch entirely to electric buses. This means that the Transport Department should announce the next tender exclusively for electric buses,” Avinyan said.

The Yerevan mayor also spoke about the importance of dedicated bus lanes. Analyses show that dedicated bus lanes significantly improve the quality and frequency of public transport services, he said.

“For example, a fleet operating on a dedicated lane with 15 buses performs more efficiently than a fleet of 25 buses providing passenger transport without a dedicated lane. In other words, a dedicated lane gives our bus network a significant advantage. Mr. Grigoryan, this year I expect you to present a phased plan for dedicated bus lanes. Bicycle lanes should be incorporated alongside bus lanes everywhere. Starting this year, we will gradually begin implementing the comprehensive dedicated-lane program,” Avinyan said, addressing Deputy Mayor Suren Grigoryan.