VIDEO: Chaos at Stations - Clarification from the Metro Authority

“I remember such a scene from the blockade in the 1990s when there was no other transport available.” This is what Isabella Abgaryan, a member of the Yerevan City Council’s "National Progress" faction, wrote on her page, sharing a video from the metro's "Garegin Nzhdeh" station.

The video shows the platform completely filled with people, and when the train arrives, only a portion of the citizens manage to board.

“I recall such a scene from the 1990s blockade when there was no other transport. This is the situation experienced by our citizens who were unable to go to work from Garegin Nzhdeh station,” Abgaryan noted.

Auroranews contacted the Metro Authority for clarification regarding the situation. The Metro officials stated, “There is heavy flow towards the metro during rush hours, just like in any other country. I don't think this is solely an issue for Yerevan. Until people settle down and conditions for safe movement are established, the schedule is naturally disrupted.”

When asked whether the issue was specific to today or if videos were just being shared today, the metro spokesperson said, “I think it is specific to today. There is heavy flow towards the metro, and until a safe condition is created for the trains to move, as safety is a priority, the train schedule is naturally disrupted.”

Metro spokesperson Anna Aslanyan also addressed the topic on her Facebook page, writing, “Today, our citizens are posting on social networks about metro transport and expressing their dissatisfaction with certain inconveniences created during peak hours. Especially during morning and evening times, the metro's congestion can sometimes cause discomfort, as the number of passengers has significantly increased. However, I must note that such congestion, especially in subway systems of large cities, is a typical phenomenon. Metro congestion can also occur in countries with the most developed infrastructures, for example, in Japan, where ‘pushers’ – robust men – assist passengers who cannot fit into the trains during peak hours. Of course, I understand you might say not to compare this with Japan, but let’s not forget that even developed systems face such issues.

We apologize for the inconveniences caused and thank our citizens and city guests for their patience, understanding, and willingness to cooperate to improve this situation together.”