Why the Relationship Between Yerevan's Mayor and Deputy Mayor Has Become Strained

According to "Hraparak," the relationship between Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan and Deputy Mayor Suren Grigoryan has soured. Grigoryan has failed to implement the unified ticketing system for public transport, which was a key electoral promise of Tigran Avinyan, positioned as an unprecedented reform. More than a year has passed since the signing of the contract meant to kick-start the process, yet nothing has materialized.

We have reported that there are numerous technical issues. The only company that won the tender, "Tel-Sel" LLC, has not fulfilled its contractual obligations within the stipulated deadlines, and necessary devices have not been installed on the vehicles to facilitate online payments via the Tel-Sel system, as well as through bank cards and other mobile applications. There are grounds to terminate the contract, but Tigran Avinyan is hesitant to do so, to avoid claims that he has misled the residents of Yerevan and that the system will not be operational.

On the contrary, he is trying to implement the unified ticketing system at all costs. Months ago, he tasked Deputy Mayor Suren Grigoryan, who has been the curator of this deal from the beginning, to negotiate with the Central Bank and expedite the compliance process. However, the Central Bank is not particularly enthusiastic about this endeavor, given that the contract between the municipality and the mentioned company contains numerous obstacles.

Additionally, we learned that the Central Bank has indicated that if indefinite tickets are sold in the form of QR codes, anyone can duplicate the code, giving it to hundreds of people who could then use it. Avinyan has realized that the entire process is a "failure" and has posed a question to Suren Grigoryan: either ensure the security of the QR system and finally implement it, noting that unified ticket cards will operate through QR codes, or his deputy's position will be called into question.