The head of the land transport federations and syndicates in Lebanon, Bassam Tlais, issued a statement regarding public transport pricing in light of the continuing rise in fuel prices, stating that “the sharp and accelerating rise in fuel prices as a result of the current circumstances and the ongoing war, which led to an increase in the price of a can of gasoline from $16 to $26, and the accompanying chaos in setting public transport tariffs and tension between drivers and passengers, can no longer tolerate postponement or partial treatment, which requires organized intervention.” “It puts an end to the existing chaos and restores balance to this vital sector.”
Tlais added: “We fully understand the demands of public drivers and their legitimate right to adjust the fare to suit the high operational cost, and we clearly declare that we stand by them at this critical stage.”
He continued: “On the other hand, we recall the previous agreement with the government, stipulating the allocation of an amount of 12 million Lebanese pounds per month to the public driver as compensation for the fees imposed on the gasoline tanker, and implementing this commitment would contribute directly to alleviating the burdens on drivers and passengers alike.”
He added: “We are in the process of preparing a new and fair tariff for public transportation that takes into account the rights of drivers and protects citizens from any unjustified burdens.”
He stressed that “within a maximum period of one week from its date, the new tariff will be officially announced in a clear and binding manner, putting an end to the current state of chaos.”
Tlais explained: “In this context, if the state commits to paying the agreed upon amount, this will reflect positively on reducing the tariff, but in the event of non-implementation, a new tariff will be adopted that takes into account the actual cost, which may impose an emergency increase.”
The statement concluded by calling on all concerned parties to “commit and cooperate during this transitional period, in preparation for implementing the new tariff in a way that ensures stability and preserves the rights of everyone.”
