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3. Public Bus Use Surges to 4,600 Daily Riders, One Year After Launch

4,600 — that's the average number of passengers using public buses each day, one year after the launch of Lebanon’s state-operated public transport service, led by the Office of Railways and Public Transport.

This marks a significant increase compared to the early days of the project, when daily ridership hovered between just 200 and 300 people. After a slow start, the system is now attracting a broader range of commuters — including more women, who report feeling safer thanks to state ownership and onboard security cameras.


 

Launched exactly one year ago, the network currently runs on 11 main lines that form the backbone of the country’s public transport system. Buoyed by this initial success, the Office is now preparing to request an expansion of the bus fleet in order to extend coverage to more regions.

Planned network extensions include:

• On the Beirut–Tyre line, a connection in Damour would link the coastal route to the Shouf–Bekaa–Beiteddine region.

• A new transfer point in Saadiyate would provide access to the Iqlim el-Kharroub area.

• On the Beirut–Chtaura line, a stop in Aley would create links to Baalbeck and Masnaa.

Meanwhile, the Office is in talks with several municipal federations to establish official bus stops, aiming to improve passenger comfort and better structure the network.