The Parliamentary Energy and Public Works Committee discussed on July 15 the public transportation plan for Beirut and the suburbs set by the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation.

The plan requires more than $70 million to be spent, according to Bilal Hamad, Chairman of the Beirut Municipal Council. He said: “We should start executing these plans, not just discuss it.”

The plan comprises purchasing 250 buses to be utilized in 20 lines inside Beirut. About 200 buses will be dedicated for Beirut and 50 buses to link Beirut with Tripoli, Saida, and Chtoura.

The plan also includes developing 911 bus stations, of which 310 are in Beirut. Stations should be supplied with messaging capabilities to inform passengers about schedules, delays,  and other information. As a first step, buses will operate from 6:00 am until midnight.

A railway network between Beirut and Maameltein will be developed to contribute to easing traffic at the North Beirut entrance.  Infrastructure will be developed for heavy rail to transport larger goods and products, as well as light rail to transfer passengers.  Three private operators will manage this project.

MP Mohammad Kabbani, chairman of the committee, said: “We are giving Beirut the priority since it is suffering more than other cities from traffic congestion.”

The Beirut Municipality will assign engineering and management consultancy firm Team International to study the appropriate implementation of the plan. Team is the company that executed the civil transportation plan for Beirut.

Hamad said that several studies should be conducted to assess the convenience of city busses, including type, number, and their impact on traffic.