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Many Yerevan residents continue boycotting an increase in public transport fares in the Armenian capital.

Bus fares rose from 100 to 150 drams in Yerevan starting February 1. Initially, municipal authorities had proposed a fare increase to 300 drams, but following public backlash, the fare was revised to 150 drams. Opposition members kept calling on people to continue paying 100 drams.

“I’m boycotting the fare hike and refusing to pay the public transport fee. I take my grandchildren to school in the morning. I have two grandchildren and I have to pay 300 drams, then another 300 drams to take them back home. In this case, I’ll just take a taxi,” one citizen explained

"I’ll continue paying 100 drams. I'm not going to pay 150. If others can afford it, let them pay. They can cover the 150 drams from their bonuses. We bought these new buses with our taxes paid. Everything has become more expensive. Has anyone’s salary increased to cover this extra 50 drams? People still struggle to get on buses during rush hour,” another resident said.

"The new fare isn’t acceptable. We have to pay it, what else can we do? Whether we pay or not, nothing will change. I don’t think the municipal authorities will back down on their decision. If they’re raising the fare, they should at least improve the service. After work, it’s impossible to get home. The situation is awful," a third added.