Jbeil - 23 May 2026 - Today, Lebanon launched its first public intercity electric bus service connecting Jbeil and Beirut, marking an important step toward more sustainable public transport solutions amid rising fuel prices, economic hardship, and growing pressure on mobility across the country.

The  initiative implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), was officially launched today at Jbeil Bus Station in the presence of H.E. Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny, current and former mayors of Jbeil Dr. Joseph el- Shami and Mr. Wissam Zaarour, representatives of the Railway and Public Transport Authority, Mr. Ziad Shayya,, UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon Blerta Aliko, donors, partner municipalities, development partners, and members of the local community, and reflects the continued leadership of the Ministry of Environment in advancing Lebanon’s climate agenda and translating national priorities into action through strong GEF partnership 

The service introduces four fully electric buses, supported by solar-powered charging infrastructure at Jbeil Bus Station and operating under the Railway and Public Transport Authority through its partnership with ACTC. Expected to serve around 150,000 commuters annually, the initiative aims to provide a cleaner, more affordable, and more reliable mobility alternative while helping reduce traffic congestion, dependence on private vehicles, and approximately 900 tCO₂e emissions per year.

The buses are wheelchair accessible and designed to support more inclusive mobility for persons with disabilities, women, youth, older persons, students, and workers who rely on shared transport every day.

Speaking during the inauguration, H.E. Minister Fayez Rasamny said. said that “the launch of the electric public transport line between Beirut and Byblos marked “a foundational step toward rebuilding Lebanon’s public transport sector on modern and sustainable grounds,” describing public transport as “a fundamental right and a pillar of any productive economy.”

Rasamny also noted that the project links Beirut and Byblos through seven stations using four modern electric buses equipped with monitoring systems and connected to a central operations room, with fares set at LBP 200,000. The Minister added that the ministry was also preparing to launch a line linking Byblos to the Saint Charbel shrine in Annaya at a fare of LBP 100,000, as part of broader efforts to promote public transport and ease congestion and pollution.

Rasamny added that Lebanon’s public transport network currently includes 11 active routes serving more than 7,000 passengers daily, while buses donated by Qatar are expected to enter service on six additional lines in the coming weeks. He further stressed that the ministry was working to protect railway assets and advance plans to link the Port of Tripoli to the Syrian border through a dedicated rail line, reinforcing Lebanon’s role as a regional logistics and transit hub.

Mayor of Jbeil–Byblos highlighted the municipality’s commitment to advancing sustainable urban mobility, “The Jbeil–Byblos Municipality is entrusted with preserving the city’s heritage, prosperity, and development. 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 best interest of the city and the citizens of Jbeil.

In turn, the former Mayor of Jbeil, Mr. Wissam Zaarour, reviewed the stages the project has gone through since its launch in 2018, noting the major challenges it faced, from the economic crisis to the COVID-19 pandemic, wars, and security developments, while stressing that work continued despite all circumstances until the project reached its current outcome.

Zaarour pointed out that the project helps reduce transportation costs for citizens, limit pollution, and provide appropriate transport for persons with disabilities, in addition to serving university students and employees by connecting Jbeil with Beirut, Kaslik, Hadath, and other areas, emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation between successive municipal councils to ensure the success of development projects.

UNDP Regional Technical Advisor, Ms. Amal Aldababseh, said: “This initiative is an important milestone toward more sustainable, clean, and affordable public transport in Lebanon. Expanding electric mobility can help reduce emissions and air pollution, while also improving access to safer and more cost-effective transport options for communities. We are proud that this GEF-supported, UNDP-implemented project is helping turn this vision into a practical and visible reality.”

UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon, Blerta Aliko, stressed the importance of investing in practical and sustainable transport solutions that respond to people’s needs and support improved mobility and public services across Lebanon, “This initiative demonstrates that practical, climate-smart, and people-centered solutions are still possible in Lebanon — and investing in public transport is not only about infrastructure, but about improving daily life, expanding access to opportunities, and restoring confidence in public systems through partnership between national institutions, municipalities, communities, and development partners.”

The initiative also included the installation and rehabilitation of bus stops across Beirut, Jdeideh, Antelias, Jounieh, and Jbeil, with accessibility improvements aimed at making public transport safer and easier to use.

While modest in scale, today’s launch represents an important first step toward more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient mobility solutions in Lebanon, and demonstrates how investment in clean transport can directly improve people’s daily lives while contributing to a greener future for the country.

More about E1 Beirut – Jbeil Line: https://www.undp.org/lebanon/publications/lebanon-public-transportation-network 

For more info contact:

UNDP: 

Ms. Kawsar Fahs, Head of Communications Unit|📞 +961-81-478-691|  kawsar.fahs@undp.org
Ms. Maryam Sweid, Communications Associate |📞 +961-71-366-212 | maryam.sweid@undp.org

Global Environment Facility: 

Alexandre Pinheiro Rego, Senior Communications Officer. Email: arego@thegef.org