Payment devices will be added to public transportation
Since November 1, drivers on public transportation no longer collect money from passengers. QR tickets and 100 dram payment options are in use. Initially, the public’s reaction was strong. Users of public transportation were expressing their dissatisfaction on various platforms. However, the wave of complaints has now subsided.
As a result of continuous monitoring of citizens’ posts, we tried to get clarifications from the municipality regarding the gathered questions. The response to the electronic inquiry only included partial answers to some of the submitted questions.
As stated in the message, after the final implementation and the adaptation phase of the system, cash payment devices will be removed from the buses. To purchase a ticket using cash, citizens will need to use one of the approximately 2,000 terminals installed at various locations around the city and in the Yerevan metro. In order to make payments easier, an additional validator is planned to be added at each entrance.
The unified ticketing system planned under this program involves the use of various ticket carriers and different ticket products that will meet the needs of all passenger groups. It is planned to use contactless bank cards, mobile phones with NFC capabilities, and permanent-use plastic transport cards as ticket carriers, – the municipality stated.
After the law came into effect on November 1, citizens complained about various issues: the validators were not working, and the Telcell system caused difficulties both with the app and the terminal. Some people’s online purchased tickets disappeared, while others were unable to buy multiple tickets at once. In addition, the program creates further challenges because it only works when there is an internet connection. Schoolchildren are also unable to purchase online tickets because they cannot register in the app due to being minors.
However, the preparatory work is expected to be completed by 2025. The unified ticketing system will be implemented starting January 1.