After a long delay in the launch of the transportation plan promised by the Minister of Public Works and Transport following Lebanon’s receipt of the French bus donation, Minister Ali Hammiyeh launched a single line two days ago at a press conference from the garage of the buses whose operation was transferred to a private company, due to “the state’s inability to provide drivers for the buses, as the highest salary for the last 27 drivers in the Railways and Common Transport Authority is 2.5 million pounds.” The ministry put out a public tender, which was won by Al-Ahdab’s company.
The Observatory for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ( ) inspected the buses as soon as Lebanon received the donation, which were equipped for people with disabilities, and will continue to monitor the equipment to ensure that the company’s drivers are familiar with inclusive standards and how to deal with disabled passengers.
According to the term sheet with the company, the transportation lines were divided into five groups, according to the length of the line, the duration of the trip, and the number of stations. The five groups contain 11 lines, as follows:
- Group A: Nahr al-Mut – Hammam al-Askari, Nahr al-Mut – Concorde, Adlieh – Lebanese University (Hadath Complex), Mar Mikhael – Concorde, and to and from Mar Mikhael.
- Group B: Martyrs’ Square – Damour, Mar Mikhael – Khalda, Nahr el Mot – Baabda Hospital.
- Group C: Adlieh – Chtoura. Group
- Group D: Khaldeh – Tyre. Group
- Group E: Museum – Tripoli.
The cost per passenger, according to the terms book, ranges from 70,000 pounds on short Class A lines within Beirut, to 170,000 pounds on Class D lines, to 200,000 pounds on Class E lines. Working hours on all lines start at 6 a.m. and end at 8 p.m.
