In a new step aimed at strengthening the shared transportation sector in rural areas, the “Rashaya-Chtoura” line was officially launched in its first phase, which includes four buses, amid plans to develop and expand it in the future to connect it with transportation traffic heading towards the capital, Beirut.
The line was launched in Rashaya district under the sponsorship and coordination of member of the “Democratic Gathering” bloc, MP Wael Abu Faour, and at the joint invitation of the Union of Municipalities of Jabal Sheikh and the Union of Municipalities of Independence Castle. The project was carried out in cooperation with the head of the Joint Railways and Transport Authority, Ziyad Chia, and the follow-up of the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rasamni, and the Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, and in the presence of a broad official, municipal, political and religious presence.
The project seeks to facilitate the movement of citizens between Rashaya and the Western Bekaa, all the way to Chtoura and from there to Beirut, as well as to reduce the financial burdens of transportation, especially on students, employees, and patients, as the specified tariff ranges between 150 and 200 thousand Lebanese pounds, depending on the route.
In this context, the head of the Railways and Combined Transport Department, Ziad Shea, explained that the idea of the project was launched about six or seven months ago after communication with MP Abu Faour, followed by coordination with the municipal unions until the implementation stage. Shea stressed that the public transportation crisis and the rise in fuel prices make developing this sector an urgent need, noting that the project begins with modest capabilities, with aspirations to expand it to include additional areas in Rashaya, the Western Bekaa, and other areas.
For his part, MP Wael Abu Faour stressed that the success of shared transportation is closely linked to its development, building citizens’ confidence, and ensuring its continuity. He explained that the first phase departs with four buses (two from Rashaya and two from the West Bekaa) according to pre-determined times, and provides connectivity with Chtaura, where passengers can continue their trips towards Beirut, and vice versa.
Abu Faour stressed that the aim of the initiative is not to compete with the private transport sector, but rather to provide an additional and organized public service, stressing the “right of rural people” to access services and not leaving peripheral areas alone to bear the burden of distances and the cost of transportation, expressing his thanks to the “Al-Ahdab Transport and Trade” Company for its cooperation.
In turn, the head of the Federation of Jabal Sheikh Municipalities, Nizam Muhanna, considered that the project promotes balanced local development and facilitates citizens’ access to employment, education and service centres, calling for the line to be stabilized and supported to ensure its development. In the same context, the head of the Union of Independence Castle Municipalities, Yasser Khalil, described the launch of the line as a long-awaited development and service step, stressing his readiness to keep pace with the experience and work to increase the number of trips and buses and expand the scope of the network.
The factors of regularity of appointments, continuity of work on the line, and the level of citizens’ interest in it remain the basic determinants of its expansion path during the next stage.
