Travel to Yerevan again restricted
Public transport between Yerevan and nearby regions has been halted on Friday ahead of the major rally organized by the opposition alliance Armenian National Congress (HAK).
Bus stations in Sevan, Vanadzor, Ashtarak and other provinces stood idle on April 8, leaving scores of local commuters stranded. Even taxis are deliberately pulled out of service in some provinces in what appears to be a government effort to lower attendance at the opposition's rally.
A1+'s journalists reports from Hrazdan bus station that the traffic controller advised stranded people to get to the capital earlier as the roads will be blocked after 4p.m.
A similar picture could be observed in the town of Nor Hachn where in reply to residents' complaints, the traffic controller said, "Our drivers are tired and need to rest."
Transport communication has been disrupted between Yerevan and Ashtarak since early morning. Ashtarak residents who work in Yerevan and have to commute on a daily basis had to pay twice to reach their workplaces in Yerevan.
One of the locals said that he was going to hospital to visit a relative but did not know how he would get there due to lack of transport.
Students said they were late for studies and could face problems if they missed the lectures.
According to eyewitnesses, only cars are allowed to enter Yerevan as police patrols are checking all vehicles on the roads. In most cases public transport is diverted on the approaches to the city.
The HAK is holding a rally outside the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts - Matenadaran at 6p.m. April 8. Armenia's First President Levon Ter-Petrosyan is expected to address the ralliers.
