The announcement of a fare increase has sparked discontent among Sukhum residents.

Minibus drivers in Sukhum raised fares to 50 rubles. Local residents, commenting on the social media announcement of the fare increase, complained about poor conditions on minibuses and noted that prices are rising everywhere in Abkhazia, while salaries remain the same.

A follower of the Instagram* public page chp_abh sent a photo of a minibus sign stating the fare is 50 rubles. The author of the post clarified that the post was about Sukhum.

Sukhum residents pointed out the poor condition of public transportation

This post on the Instagram* public page chp_abh, which has approximately 94,100 followers, had 346 likes and 247 comments as of 11:40 a.m. Moscow time on June 20. The discussion under the post about the fare increase focused on the reasons for the price increase and the state of public transport. Users also raised issues of wage levels, rising fuel prices, and the role of government in regulating transportation.

Some commenters noted that the quality of transportation does not match the cost of travel and called for modernization of transport first.

"50 rubles to ride with a driver who reeks of alcohol, in a minibus whose seats wore out 100 years ago, completely filled with people, where it is impossible to breathe..." - wrote the user abkhazskie_svadby.

"Before raising the price, they should fix the transport," noted dolenkoalla.

Some participants in the discussion considered the increase to be expected, pointing out Gasoline price hike. "People who are outraged, have you seen the price of gas?" wrote user maga_nokhchi_.

"Have you seen how much gas costs? Of course it will go up," noted saidadelbaa. "Unfortunately, gas prices have gone up, that was expected," said elis_1996tm.

Some commenters sided with the drivers. "It's not the minibus drivers' fault. Gasoline is getting more expensive, and they have families who live on that money too!" - wrote ilo_azhiba.

"The drivers aren't to blame. Prices are rising at a colossal rate. They have families, after all, and they need to be fed," said karasevaanaida.

Another group of commentators pointed out the discrepancy between price increases and the population's incomes. "Who's going to raise our salaries?" wrote dashaagumava. "Prices are rising for everyone, but salaries remain the same," noted valentina_kiulyan.

Some of the discussion participants advocated for expanding the bus network and more active regulation of transportation.

"Can't the city buy more buses and launch them throughout the city?" wrote chamagualamara. "Where's the state-owned transport? Get rid of the private operators, I'm fed up. When will there be order?" asked saidaaristava.

The Abkhazian Ministry of Economy announced that there is no decision to increase fares

Abkhazian authorities stated that fares in Sukhum will remain the same – 40 rubles. "The Ministry of Economy is conducting an analysis of the economic feasibility of a possible change in passenger fares, taking into account the current situation on the fuel and lubricants market and other expenses affecting transportation costs," the Apsadgyl-info news agency reported on June 19.

A post announcing that fares in Sukhum will remain the same was also published on the Instagram* page chp_abh. "The Ministry of Economy announces a fare of 40 rubles, but passengers pay 50," the post read. As of 11:40 a.m. Moscow time on June 20, the post had 271 likes and 62 comments.

"Does the Ministry of Economy know that passengers pay 50 rubles?" - wrote _shazina_abshilava_.

"A minibus ride around the city already costs 50 rubles. Everything is going up in price. If only salaries, pensions, and child benefits would go up like that... How people have suffered and continue to suffer," noted user akhra_kv_777.

* Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) is banned in Russia.