Certain Routes in Ararat Province Operate with Exceeding Fares

Some routes in Ararat Province, entrusted to companies conducting intraregional and interregional regular passenger transport, are being operated in violation of transportation legislation. Specifically, the services are being provided at fares exceeding those established by the competition commission, which contradicts the requirements of Article 11, paragraph 5 of the RA law on "Automobile Transport."

Yesterday and today, discussions and publications have arisen in the press regarding the issue of unjustified fare hikes by companies conducting interregional and intraregional regular passenger transport.

The RA Supervisory Body of Urban Development, Technical and Fire Safety informs that extensive monitoring of the organization of regular passenger transport services has been carried out, revealing that some routes in Ararat Province are indeed operating in breach of transportation legislation. This includes the violation of approved fares by the competition commission as stipulated by the law.

According to the law, "The route service is provided by the winning organization at the fare proposed during the auction, except for the routes serviced by the operator, where the fare is determined by the council."

It is also noted that fare revisions may only occur in the case of certain objective reasons (devaluation or reevaluation of the currency, changes in the prices of fuel, transportation vehicles, and spare parts) initiated by the competition commission or based on justified calculations presented by the organization, with approval from the relevant body organizing the route network.

Based on the above and in consideration of the law’s provisions, certain service companies have been issued warning notices by the State Technical Safety Inspectorate, urging them to abstain from such violations and to promptly eliminate any infractions. The regular routes entrusted to these companies must be operated strictly in compliance with transportation legislation.

Failure to comply will result in the Supervisory Body taking appropriate measures, which could include actions to revoke the right to service the route pursuant to the provisions of Article 12, paragraph 2, subparagraph (a) of the RA law on "Automobile Transport."