The construction of the rapid tram line in Yerevan in 1972 is considered to be the beginning of the first metro line construction in Yerevan because the tram line was meant to be later converted into metro. The first line section was inaugurated on March 7, 1981 and the line was completed in 1989.
Owing to soil heterogeneity metro workers faced many difficulties during the metro construction.
The line section between Yeritasardakan and Zoravar Andranik is characterised with abundance of water. With the hydraulic slope of 0,016 metres, the drawdown was complicated. For this reason, the line section was fitted out with 50 pumps.
To prevent groundwater from getting into the metro tunnel a special metal insulation system was used between Hanrapetutian Hraparak and Yeritasardakan stations.
The first Yerevan Metro drivers, drivers assistants, escalator engineers and signaling system specialists got their training in Tbilisi Metro.
The first Yerevan Metro workers were from Baku, Tbilisi and Moscow metros and from the Yerevan railway company.
Practically all Yerevan plants helped to introduce the first line section.
The first line section of the first Yerevan Metro line came into passenger service on March 7, 1981. It featured 7,6 km of tracks (6,6 km of tracks for commercial operation) and 5 lines.
The construction of the first line with the total length of 11,5 km and the operational length of 10,5 km was completed in December, 1987.
The line was extended in 1996, when Charbakh station was opened for passengers.
The Yerevan Metro system of today features one line which is 12,1 km long.
Since the beginning of its operation Yerevan Metro has carried 81,3 thousand passengers.
The average trip distance amounts to 3,8 km.
Yerevan Metro operates 81-717 and 81-714 stock trains made by Mytischi and Yegorovsk car building plants.
The inventory fleet is 70 units.
The number of cars in operation is 41.
Yerevan Metro operates 81-717 and 81-714 stock trains. Two cars were overhauled in 2011.
Following the decrease in ridership only 2-car trains are now in operation in Yerevan Metro.
Passengers can enter the metro stations through the turnstiles. The payment used to be made with 5-kopeck coins, which later gave way to tokens. Since May, 2009, both tokens and plastic cards have been in operation and the installation of a new system will soon allow to use smart cards.
Year 2010 marked the beginning of the three-year Yerevan Metro Reconstruction programme funded by the European Investment Bank and European Neighbourhood Instrument (EBRD). The programme includes rolling stock modernisation, power and pump systems renewal and track works.
The metro extension plans include the construction of new lines and stations with the operational length reaching 47 km.
Armgiprotrans Institute has conducted a feasibility study and designed the first metro line extension with the construction of two deep stations in the south. The northern extension of the line will feature 4 new deep stations. This will help to reduce traffic on one of the busiest streets of the city.
The new metro line will stretch from the west to the east of the city and will help passengers quickly get to the city centre.
As a long-term project, another metro line will connect the south and the north-east of Yerevan.
Based on the experience of the first metro line construction Armgiprotrans Institute specialists used new technologies in the new stations design. They included effective antiseismic tunnel lining, new column types etc.
| Key Performance Indicators, 2012 | |
| Total operational length (two tracks), km | 12,1 |
| Number of lines | 2 |
| Number of stations | 10 |
| including number of stations with one exit | 10 |
| Metro system density (sq.km per city km.) | 0,07 |
| Number of pairs of trains per hour | 12 |
| Minimum headway, sec | 300 |
| Fulfilment of train schedule, % | 99,98 |
| Inventory rolling stock, cars | 45 |
| Rolling stock in operation, cars | 30 |
| Total car/km, mio. | 2,83 |
| Number of depots | 1 |
| Average operational train speed, km/h. | 41,2 |
| Average train speed, km/h. | 41,2 |
| Power consumption, mio. kWh | 49,9 |
| including power for train traction, mio. kWh | 40,1 |
| Specific energy consumption for traction, Wh per t/km | 69,5 |
| Number of substations | 40 |
| Length of power cable systems, km | 101,64 |
| Number of escalators in operation | 34 |
| Number of stations with escalators | 12 |
| Length of lines equipped with speed control systems, km., including: | 36,2 |
| as a main signaling system, km. | 36,2 |
| with seamless track circuit, km. | 15,8 |
| Number of switches | 137 |
| Number of ventilation shafts in operation | 54 |
| Number of ventilators in operation | 108 |
| Number of water drainage installations | 122 |
| Operational length of tunnels, km. | 81,8 |
| Staff responsible for operations, pers. | 3136 |
| Total ridership, mio. pax. | 65,45 |
| Average daily ridership, mio. pax. | 0,17 |
| Cost of transportation of 1 passenger, rub. | 9,46 |
| Modal share, % | 14,7 |
76, Marshal Bagramyan Prospekt, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: +374 10 27 30 98