New Turnstiles in the Metro with New Payment Systems: Latest Details

The newspaper 'Hraparak' reports: 'New turnstiles with updated payment systems have been installed at Yerevan metro stations. Instead of tokens, citizens will now purchase tickets through a QR code application or a terminal. This innovation has caused discontent, with online comments questioning, 'Why are you complicating people's lives?' Especially elderly individuals are struggling to use the electronic system. Moreover, queues are forming, and during peak hours, congestion occurs when purchasing tickets.

Another issue has arisen: the vendors of tokens were individuals who had jobs, albeit with low salaries, and now they will become unemployed. We were informed that 'Tel-Sell' LLC, which services the new payment system in the metro, has provided staff to assist metro users with the sequential steps at the corresponding equipment.

When we inquired with the spokesperson for Yerevan Metro, Tatev Khachatryan, about the fate of token sellers and whether their positions would be cut, we found out that they are still working, but these positions will eventually be phased out. 'There are still token sellers; the turnstiles have been installed separately, and the token system will continue to operate for some time. Extensive awareness campaigns are being conducted so that the public can also use the QR code application via the 'Tel-Sell' system. Regardless, in the future, there will still be cashiers who sell tokens. Elderly people have a hard time adapting to the latest technologies, so for a considerable time, metro cashiers will continue to work,' she noted.

It should be noted that even in advanced Western countries, where everything is digital and electronic tickets are sold everywhere, there are still live personnel at train stations or subways to assist those who have difficulties using digital services. In places where this is not taken care of, individual 'entrepreneurs' often appear near such devices, offering their services to help people purchase tickets for a small fee.'