Lebanon has launched its first public electric intercity bus service, linking Byblos and Beirut, in a move that marks a major milestone toward promoting more sustainable and modern public transport solutions amid rising fuel prices, a worsening economic crisis, and mounting pressure on the transport and mobility sector across various Lebanese regions. This initiative, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is part of efforts to support the transition toward more sustainable transport systems in Lebanon. The service was officially launched from the Byblos bus station in the presence of Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rassamni, current and former Byblos mayors Joseph El Chami and Wissam Zaarour, alongside representatives from the Railway and Public Transport Authority, including Ziad Chaya, and the UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon Blerta Aliko, in addition to representatives from donor entities, executive and municipal partners, and members of the local community. This step also reflects the Ministry of Environment’s commitment to continuing to lead the climate agenda in Lebanon and translating national priorities into practical, 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 Byblos station, and will be operated by the Railway and Public Transport Authority in partnership with Al-Ahdab Transport and Trading Company (ACTC). The service is expected to benefit approximately 150,000 passengers annually, providing a cleaner, lower-cost, and more reliable means of transport, while helping to ease traffic congestion, reduce reliance on private cars, and cut approximately 900 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The new buses feature equipment that accommodates the needs of persons with disabilities, ensuring ease of access and use, alongside the adoption of 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 opening ceremony, Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rassamni stated that the launch of the electric public transport line between Beirut and Byblos constitutes “a foundational step toward rebuilding the public transport sector in Lebanon on modern and sustainable foundations,” affirming that public transport is “a fundamental right for the citizen and a pillar for any productive economy and organized state.” He explained that the project connects Beirut and Byblos across seven stations using four modern electric buses equipped with tracking systems and an operations room, at a cost of 200,000 Lebanese pounds, running parallel to efforts to launch a transport line between Byblos and the Shrine of Saint Charbel in Annaya at a cost of 100,000 pounds, as part of promoting clean transport and reducing congestion and pollution. Rassamni noted that the current public transport network comprises 11 lines used by 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, as part of an integrated plan to expand the public transport network nationwide. He also stressed that the ministry is working to protect railway properties and preparing a project to link the Port of Tripoli to the Syrian border via a dedicated freight transport line, thereby enhancing Lebanon’s position as a transit center and logistical hub in the region. He added: “What we are doing today is not a symbolic step, but the actual establishment of a new path in the public transport sector based on modernity, sustainability, and the reinstatement of the state’s presence in people’s lives through tangible and effective services.” The Mayor of Byblos also stressed the municipality’s commitment to promoting sustainable urban transport, stating that the Municipality of Byblos-Jubail is entrusted with preserving the city’s heritage and prosperity and developing it. From this standpoint, it is working in cooperation with local authorities and international organizations to secure development projects that contribute to reviving economic and cultural activity in the best interest of the city and the Byblos citizen. For his part, former Byblos Mayor Wissam Zaarour reviewed the stages the project has gone through since its launch in 2018, pointing to the significant 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 noted that the project contributes to lowering the cost of travel for citizens, reducing pollution, and providing suitable transport for people with special needs, in addition to serving university students and employees by connecting Byblos to Beirut, Kaslik, Hadath, and other areas, emphasizing the importance of ongoing cooperation between successive municipal councils to ensure the success of developmental projects. GEF Regional Technical Adviser Amal Dabboussi stated: “This initiative represents an important milestone toward developing a more sustainable, cleaner, and more cost-effective public transport system in Lebanon. Expanding the scope of electric mobility can contribute to reducing emissions and air pollution, alongside improving access to safer and more cost-effective transport options for communities. We are proud that this project, supported by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, is helping turn this vision into a practical and tangible reality.” For her part, UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon Blerta Aliko emphasized the importance of investing in practical and sustainable transport solutions that respond to citizens' needs and improve mobility services across Lebanese regions, saying: “This initiative confirms that practical, climate-friendly, and human-centric solutions remain possible in Lebanon. Investing in public transport is not limited to infrastructure development alone; it also forms a gateway to improving people’s daily lives, enhancing access to services, and restoring confidence in public systems through a partnership bringing 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-Jdeideh, Antelias, Jounieh, and Byblos, introducing improvements that respect accessibility and ease-of-use standards to provide a safer and more comfortable travel experience for users. Although it is a first step in this field, this initiative constitutes a pivotal milestone toward developing a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient public transport system in Lebanon, and confirms that investing in clean transport can produce a direct and tangible impact on people’s daily lives while contributing to building a greener and more sustainable future for the country.