Yerevan’s metro system is seeing a return to scenes reminiscent of the 1990s hard period: long queues and packed platforms. The introduction of the unified ticketing system, initially promoted as a modernization project to improve public transport, has instead resulted in increased commuter dissatisfaction, with endless queues, crowding, and prolonged waiting times at stations.
What was meant to facilitate a more organized and efficient public transport system has turned into a complex problem for Yerevan’s city administration. Due to technical issues, mismanagement, and lack of adequate service, passengers are left waiting in long lines and experiencing sluggish movement through stations.
Videos circulating on social media reveal the congestion at key stations, especially at “Garegin Nzhdeh” square station, where platforms are filled to capacity. With each train’s arrival, only a limited number of passengers manage to board, while others are left waiting for the next train. These delays are intensifying public dissatisfaction as city authorities, who once promised smooth travel for residents, appear out of touch with the realities commuters face daily.
As of November 1, metro riders must either pay a cash fare of 100 drams or use TelCell devices to make digital payments. However, these machines are frequently down or operate slowly, which is a primary cause of the long queues.
Residents are voicing frustration that the city administration, which promoted this new system as a step towards better travel and improved organization, has not implemented the necessary measures to make the transition successful. The lack of preparation and the impact on daily commuters evoke memories of the tough 1990s when the metro was one of the only available means of transport in the city.
The current situation raises questions about the quality of the reforms being implemented by local authorities and whether they truly meet residents’ needs. Commuters and residents alike insist that the administration needs to reevaluate its approach to avoid similar mistakes, which only create more strain and erode public trust in the transport system.
Ultimately, the unified ticketing system, which was intended to bring about modern public transit management, is currently delivering more disruption than convenience, negatively affecting the everyday lives of passengers. The pressing question now is whether the city can correct the situation or if residents will continue to endure long waits and crowded platforms, relying on patience for each train to arrive.
