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DIGNIFIED TRANSPORT: FACEBOOK ACTIVIST SAYS MINIBUSES ARE BREAKING THE 'NATION'S BACKBONE'
epress.am
06.17.2011 12:11
Created a few days ago was a Facebook group called "Dignified
transport," which already has at least 500 members. Speaking to
Epress.am, group administrator and Yerevan resident Arman Gharibyan
described the group's activities.
"We, those concerned with the state of [public] transportation
[in Armenia], had thought about doing something long ago. It's not
possible to live in Armenia and not to be discontented with the
transportation, except for the metro, which, regretfully, does not
serve all communities.
"Minibuses [commonly referred to as marshrutkas] work very poorly; they
don't follow their obligations listed in the tenders; don't approach
stops at the correct frequency, but rather are intentionally late,
so that they can fit as many people as possible in one vehicle and
earn a lot of money," he said.
According to Gharibyan, this is an issue of national security (or
rather, safety): the nation's backbone is being broken in public
transportation - both physically and psychologically.
"Every time I am forced to stand in public transport [crouched over,
as one cannot stand straight up in the minibuses], I feel dishonored,
offended. Perhaps we don't realize it, but that's a daily stress for
all of us," he said.
Gharibyan noted that the vast majority of the population make use of
the minibuses, as a result of which people are either late getting
to work or are forced to travel in an inhumane state.
"The time has come to put an end to this situation that's incompatible
with human dignity. We are going to demand the state provide dignified
transport to the public. This is that problem which cannot be refused;
if it will be [refused], we won't tolerate it, we will fight," he said.
The group "Dignified transport' is not yet fully formed: the group's
activities will be confirmed at the meeting this Saturday, Gharibyan
added.
epress.am
06.17.2011 12:11
Created a few days ago was a Facebook group called "Dignified
transport," which already has at least 500 members. Speaking to
Epress.am, group administrator and Yerevan resident Arman Gharibyan
described the group's activities.
"We, those concerned with the state of [public] transportation
[in Armenia], had thought about doing something long ago. It's not
possible to live in Armenia and not to be discontented with the
transportation, except for the metro, which, regretfully, does not
serve all communities.
"Minibuses [commonly referred to as marshrutkas] work very poorly; they
don't follow their obligations listed in the tenders; don't approach
stops at the correct frequency, but rather are intentionally late,
so that they can fit as many people as possible in one vehicle and
earn a lot of money," he said.
According to Gharibyan, this is an issue of national security (or
rather, safety): the nation's backbone is being broken in public
transportation - both physically and psychologically.
"Every time I am forced to stand in public transport [crouched over,
as one cannot stand straight up in the minibuses], I feel dishonored,
offended. Perhaps we don't realize it, but that's a daily stress for
all of us," he said.
Gharibyan noted that the vast majority of the population make use of
the minibuses, as a result of which people are either late getting
to work or are forced to travel in an inhumane state.
"The time has come to put an end to this situation that's incompatible
with human dignity. We are going to demand the state provide dignified
transport to the public. This is that problem which cannot be refused;
if it will be [refused], we won't tolerate it, we will fight," he said.
The group "Dignified transport' is not yet fully formed: the group's
activities will be confirmed at the meeting this Saturday, Gharibyan
added.