So That’s What The Busstops Were For!!!
Minibuses are stopping only at the allocated bus-stops these days. At least in the center of Yerevan, when there’s some police patrol around. The first couple of times I tried stopping a minibus where I usually would on the Mashtots avenue, (which is definitely not at a bus-stop), the minibuses didn’t pay any attention. I was frustrated at first. Than I felt really happy - thinking: so that’s why the Municipality was updating the bus-stops, because strangely enough everybody was standing at the bus-stop nearby - instead of crowding around the Mashtots-Pushkin crossroad as they usually would.
So, for once police have been doing what they should: enforcing the laws and following public order - regulating transportation. And minibuses are doing what they should - they are stopping at the bus-stop (only in the center of Yerevan at the moment). Both phenomena are remarkable, and very progressive. I’m just a tiny little bit pessimistic, because I remember very well, how the police regulated overcrowded minibuses a couple of years ago. They would stop any minibus with too many passengers, and especially passengers standing (ducking?) inside the minibus. But it took only about two months, and everything came back to old realities, and minibuses intended for 15 people maximum, keep cramming 25-30 people inside.
So how long will the obedience of law and order continue this time? Was this again a result of the recent accident - when the minibus #30 was overturned by a truck? Luckily no one died this time - but does there always have to be an incident like this to force the police to really police?
I think the new wave of law enforcement started before the last accident. The police are finally doing something useful, but I don’t think it will last very long. Mini-bus drivers and, more importantly, the public will stick to designated bus stops while the police is out there checking on them (for about a month or two), then it will be back to “normal”.
Comment by Vahagn — 12/4/2006 @ 5:01 pm
I wonder is it really up to the Police though, to ensure that people stand at bus stops. Doesn’t it seem laughable really! I can’t imagine a policeman telling me to stand at a bus stop, i would just do it! I just hope we can all learn to do it, i guess it all depends on how well they are placed… and also, even out of Armenia, if anyone would try to get the bus to stop away from its pitch, its probably an Armenian! lol
:)
Comment by Harmick — 12/5/2006 @ 2:30 pm