Lebanon launches first electric bus service linking Jbeil and Beirut

Lebanon launched its first public electric intercity bus service, linking Jbeil and Beirut, in a step that marks a notable milestone towards promoting more sustainable and modern public transport solutions, amid rising fuel prices, the worsening economic crisis, and increasing pressures on the transport and mobility sector in various Lebanese regions.

This initiative, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), falls within efforts aimed at supporting the transition towards more sustainable transport systems in Lebanon. The service was officially launched from the Jbeil bus station, in the presence of the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rasamny, the current and former mayors of Jbeil, Joseph Al-Shami and Wissam Zaarour, along with representatives from the Railway and Public Transport Authority, including Ziad Shia, the UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon, Blerta Aliko, in addition to representatives from donor agencies, executive and municipal partners, and a number of local community members.

This step also reflects the Ministry of Environment's commitment to continue leading the climate agenda in Lebanon, and translating national priorities into practical and tangible initiatives on the ground, through strategic partnerships with the Global Environment Facility. The service includes the operation of four fully electric buses, supported by solar-powered charging infrastructure at the Jbeil station, with the Railway and Public Transport Authority set to operate them in partnership with Al-Ahdab Transport and Trading Company (ACTC).

It is expected that around 150,000 passengers will benefit from this service annually, providing a cleaner, lower-cost, and more reliable means of transport, contributing to reducing traffic congestion, decreasing reliance on private cars, and cutting approximately 900 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. The new buses are equipped with features that cater to the needs of persons with disabilities, ensuring ease of access and use, along with adopting social inclusion standards to meet the needs of various segments of society, particularly women, youth, the elderly, students, and workers who rely daily on public transport.

During the inauguration ceremony, His Excellency the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rasamny, said that launching the electric public transport line between Beirut and Jbeil constitutes a "foundational step towards rebuilding the public transport sector in Lebanon on modern and sustainable foundations," affirming that public transport is "a basic right of the citizen and a pillar of any productive economy and organized state." He explained that the project connects Beirut and Jbeil via seven stations using four modern electric buses equipped with tracking systems and a control room, at a cost of 200,000 Lebanese lira, alongside work to launch a transport line between Jbeil and the shrine of Saint Mar Charbel in Annaya at a cost of 100,000 lira, as part of promoting clean transport and reducing congestion and pollution.

Rasamny pointed out that the current public transport network includes 11 lines serving more than 7,000 passengers daily, while the ministry is preparing to launch buses provided by the State of Qatar to serve six additional lines, within an integrated plan to expand the public transport network across Lebanon. He also stressed that the ministry is working to protect railway properties and prepare a project to connect the Port of Tripoli to the Syrian border via a dedicated freight line, enhancing Lebanon's position as a transit and logistics hub in the region. He added: "What we are doing today is not a symbolic step, but a real foundation for a new path in the public transport sector based on modernity and sustainability, and restoring the state's presence in people's lives through tangible and effective services."

The Mayor of Jbeil also emphasized the municipality's commitment to promoting sustainable urban transport, saying that the Municipality of Jbeil – Byblos is entrusted with preserving the city's heritage and prosperity and its development, and from this standpoint, it works in cooperation with local authorities and international organizations to secure development projects that contribute to revitalizing economic and cultural activity in the interest of the city and the citizens of Jbeil.

For his part, the former Mayor of Jbeil, Professor Wissam Zaarour, reviewed the stages the project went through since its launch in 2018, pointing to the major challenges it faced, from the economic crisis to the COVID-19 pandemic, wars, and security developments, affirming that work continued despite all circumstances until the project reached its current outcome.

Zaarour indicated that the project contributes to reducing the cost of mobility for citizens, reducing pollution, and providing suitable transport for persons with special needs, in addition to serving university students and employees by connecting Jbeil with Beirut, Kaslik, Hadath, and other areas, stressing the importance of continued cooperation between successive municipal councils to ensure the success of development projects.

The Regional Technical Advisor at the Global Environment Facility, Ms. Amal Al-Dababsa, affirmed: "This initiative represents an important milestone towards developing more sustainable, cleaner, and lower-cost public transport in Lebanon. Expanding the scope of electric mobility can contribute to reducing emissions and air pollution, along with improving access to safer and more cost-effective transport for communities. We are proud that this project, supported by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, contributes to turning this vision into a practical and tangible reality."

For her part, the UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon, Ms. Blerta Aliko, stressed the importance of investing in practical and sustainable transport solutions that respond to citizens' needs and improve mobility services in various Lebanese regions, saying: "This initiative confirms that practical, climate-friendly, and people-centered solutions are still possible in Lebanon. Investing in public transport is not limited to developing infrastructure but also constitutes an entry point for improving people's daily lives, enhancing access to services, and restoring trust in public systems, through a partnership that brings together national institutions, municipalities, local communities, and development partners."

The initiative also included the rehabilitation and equipping of a number of bus stations in Beirut, Al-Jadidah, Antelias, Jounieh, and Jbeil, with improvements taking into account accessibility and ease-of-use standards, providing a safer and more comfortable travel experience for users.

Although it is a first step in this field, this initiative constitutes a pivotal milestone towards developing a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient public transport system in Lebanon, and confirms that investment in clean transport can have a direct and tangible impact on people's daily lives and contribute to building a greener and more sustainable future for the country.