Reforming Lebanon and Beirut's transport network -
3 Weeks Ago
In the last couple of years, I have come across many people, facebook groups, news articles and even threads in this forum bringing up the subject of the transport networks in Lebanon, especially the railway, the tramway and the metro networks.
It is true that trains -- especially freight trains -- have been at the base of the development of any modern society.
Having studied Belgian political history, it was obvious that Belgium's survival as a sovereign and independent country, from 1830 until the end of WWII, was to be thanked to its very performant train network, and its port, one of the biggest ports of Europe.
Lebanon needs to develop its transport networks, and for many reasons:
- Trains will improve Lebanon's commercial potentials
- Beirut is too crowded, roads are always blocked
- Public transport is cheaper, especially for 1-2 people driving alone
- Public transport will continue to get relatively cheaper because of the rise in the price of petrol
- There are lots of people using the bus frequently, within Beirut, from Beirut to Dora to Antelias to Jounieh and further to Tripoli!
- However, not everyone has access to public transport, because too few lines are served... My guess is people will start using them if networks were really efficient, and connected more areas together!
- Benefits will be felt on short, medium and long term
How to organize it?
- In my opinion, we have no need for a metro or a tramway system: the former will cost too much for too little benefits on the short and medium term, and the latter has no space to be developed.
- First phase: a train network --both freight and passengers-- linking Beirut (port) to the North and Syria (passing through Jounieh, Jbeil, Batroun and Tripoli, but also shorter lines through Dora, Antelias, Zouk Mkayel, etc.)
- Second phase:bus networks linking the train stations to the focal points within Beirut and the other cities where the train passes. The goal is to get the passengers efficiently to the train stations.
- Third phase: bus networks linking more distant areas to Beirut's focal points (same for Jounieh, Jbeil, Batroun and Tripoli.
- Fourth phase: developing a second, third and fourth train line to the Bekaa valley and to South Lebanon. It is important to link the different cities and industrial areas together (Aley-Chtaura to Zahle-Rayak-Baabak and another to Damascus, and to the South passing through the Airport-Damour-Saida-Sour)
- Fifth phase: developing bus networks from these train stations to the surrounding areas
- Sixth phase: developing Rayak and other secondary airports for freight and passenger.
- Seventh and final phase: finalizing the project by connecting all areas to each other: long and middle distance urban areas by train, middle and short urban and rural distances by bus. Ultimately, the train network could also link less urban areas, like the Southern and Northern Bekaa, Akkar and many Southern villages. Some focal points will develop into cities thanks to these connections, whether for commercial or industrial reasons.
Last edited by dodzi; 3 Weeks Ago at 01:26 AM..
Reason: Youtube video
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Lebanon sure needs metros and tramways. All major cities used to have one back in the 1950s/1960s.
1- There will be less pollution
2- Less traffic
3- Less gas money (and more shopping money )
I definitely think you should submit your study to the Ministry of Labor... but then again, let's wait for our new government...
we don't need those since the tourists that visit Lebanon drive hummers and do not use public transportation...
When I come to Lebanon, I usually take the bus from Achrafieh to Dora then to Kaslik...
The buses are usually almost full. If the bus isn't full, then the driver gets on the side and waits until the bus is full enough to be able to pay for the ride. That's because all buses are in competition with each other. A more centralized and coordinated bus system would avoid this by imposing a schedule, and having just one public bus company!
There are always people taking the bus from Beirut to Dora, to Antelias, to Kaslik, to Jounieh, to Jbeil and further to Tripoli. Trains would be great for those people!
As for tourists, just like me, take the car only because public transport sucks so much!
You're also forgetting the impact freight trains would have on our economy, in the industrial and the commercial sector!
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When I come to Lebanon, I usually take the bus from Achrafieh to Dora then to Kaslik...
The buses are usually almost full. If the bus isn't full, then the driver gets on the side and waits until the bus is full enough to be able to pay for the ride. That's because all buses are in competition with each other. A more centralized and coordinated bus system would avoid this by imposing a schedule, and having just one public bus company!
There are always people taking the bus from Beirut to Dora, to Antelias, to Kaslik, to Jounieh, to Jbeil and further to Tripoli. Trains would be great for those people!
As for tourists, just like me, take the car only because public transport sucks so much!
You're also forgetting the impact freight trains would have on our economy, in the industrial and the commercial sector!
who cares about the locals. They don't provide us with the much needed cash... We only care about the well being of the tourists...
In the last couple of years, I have come across many people, facebook groups, news articles and even threads in this forum bringing up the subject of the transport networks in Lebanon, especially the railway, the tramway and the metro networks.
It is true that trains -- especially freight trains -- have been at the base of the development of any modern society.
Having studied Belgian political history, it was obvious that Belgium's survival as a sovereign and independent country, from 1830 until the end of WWII, was to be thanked to its very performant train network, and its port, one of the biggest ports of Europe.
Lebanon needs to develop its transport networks, and for many reasons:
- Trains will improve Lebanon's commercial potentials
- Beirut is too crowded, roads are always blocked
- Public transport is cheaper, especially for 1-2 people driving alone
- Public transport will continue to get relatively cheaper because of the rise in the price of petrol
- There are lots of people using the bus frequently, within Beirut, from Beirut to Dora to Antelias to Jounieh and further to Tripoli!
- However, not everyone has access to public transport, because too few lines are served... My guess is people will start using them if networks were really efficient, and connected more areas together!
- Benefits will be felt on short, medium and long term
How to organize it?
- In my opinion, we have no need for a metro or a tramway system: the former will cost too much for too little benefits on the short and medium term, and the latter has no space to be developed.
- First phase: a train network --both freight and passengers-- linking Beirut (port) to the North and Syria (passing through Jounieh, Jbeil, Batroun and Tripoli, but also shorter lines through Dora, Antelias, Zouk Mkayel, etc.)
- Second phase:bus networks linking the train stations to the focal points within Beirut and the other cities where the train passes. The goal is to get the passengers efficiently to the train stations.
- Third phase: bus networks linking more distant areas to Beirut's focal points (same for Jounieh, Jbeil, Batroun and Tripoli.
- Fourth phase: developing a second, third and fourth train line to the Bekaa valley and to South Lebanon. It is important to link the different cities and industrial areas together (Aley-Chtaura to Zahle-Rayak-Baabak and another to Damascus, and to the South passing through the Airport-Damour-Saida-Sour)
- Fifth phase: developing bus networks from these train stations to the surrounding areas
- Sixth phase: developing Rayak and other secondary airports for freight and passenger.
- Seventh and final phase: finalizing the project by connecting all areas to each other: long and middle distance urban areas by train, middle and short urban and rural distances by bus. Ultimately, the train network could also link less urban areas, like the Southern and Northern Bekaa, Akkar and many Southern villages. Some focal points will develop into cities thanks to these connections, whether for commercial or industrial reasons.
I salute the idea, exactly what Lebanon needs. But I wonder, since Beirut's southern suburb is probably the most congested place of all, does it deserve anything from that planning? (considering your plan gets taken into consideration by the ministry).
Does the southern suburb, Bekaa and the south always have to wait till the last last bit? If anything comes that is?
I do not doubt your intentions, you are thinking about developing your country, but I would want to see places like Mrayjeh, Ma3moura, Haret Hreik, Bir El 3abed come second in planning, not first (ma3azallah otlob first)
In my opinion, we should first reorganize the circulation in the cities by :
- making people respect and for good this time, traffic lights, stop and generally, driving regulations ;
- creating lanes (and making people respect them) with lanes dedicated to the buses and taxis circulations as it will help the buses being on schedule - otherwise, the circulation mess will remain as it is...
As for the tramway, I think that while it may cost a lot of money, it's still a good idea to connect different areas in the city because buses lines will not be sufficient in a city like Beirut with its suburbs.
Regarding the train networks, it would be a good solution to reduce the level of pollution and the number of road accidents due to old trucks.
However and to be pragmatic, such projects need cash and big investments, and God knows that the lebanese state is not far from bankruptcy. So, how to finance it ? Inviting private companies - including foreign companies - to invest while applying some kind of a Terms and Conditions contract ? Or creating joint-venture between the state and private companies ? Note that in any case, it may imply the payment of subsidies by the state or granting the companies with important tax incentives.
Reforming Lebanon and Beirut's transport network -
3 Weeks Ago
3 Weeks Ago
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