42 new State-owned buses deployed for public use

Plan to establish communal transportation ongoing, bid to purchase 250 buses underway

The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation today (July 5) deployed 15 new buses connecting Beirut to the major cities. In March, 27 buses were deployed following a government decision to implement a public transportation system.

The Minister of Public Works and Transportation, Ghazi Aridi, said the State-owned bus network “will not compete with already operative private, mass transport facilities.” He said the buses will help keep bus fares balanced by giving customers the option to commute at the fixed official rates.

A tender was launched last month for the purchase of 250 buses which carry 25 passengers each, to cover areas outside Beirut as well.

“So far 42 buses are running within Beirut, and between Beirut and the major cities,” said Walid Tannous, director of the Bus Network at the Railway and Public Transportation Authority, which will manage the publicly owned buses. Tannous said five more buses will be deployed soon.

The bus network is part of a bigger plan by the ministry to upgrade public transportation. The five-year-plan includes regulating privately-owned taxis and vans offering public transport services, as well as upgrading roads and other infrastructure. The plan will also see the installation of several bus stops.

The 2004 plan initially allocated $45 million to upgrade public transport efficiency and capacity, including $33 million for buses.

Reported by Hanadi Chami