The economic and living crisis affects all Lebanese people; it spares no one, especially with the continuous rise in the dollar exchange rate in the black market, leading to a crazy increase in fuel prices. With the price of gasoline surpassing one million Lebanese pounds for the first time in Lebanon's history, the suffering of the land transport sector continues, affecting public drivers and others. What is the future of this sector? Are there any expected movements? What about the fares?
Bassem Talys, the head of land transport unions, revealed preparations for movements aimed at protecting the sector and the people because both are interconnected, stating that this sector is the vital artery of the economy. In an interview with MTV, he announced a meeting scheduled for ten-thirty on Monday at the General Labor Union headquarters, confirming the path towards escalation, directing messages to public drivers to say: "Prepare for a major movement, and on Monday we will announce all the details."
Talys indicated: "There is a prior agreement with the government to be implemented; curbing violations and nepotism does not require money, and the sector is suffering from two problems: first, the application of the law, as the counterfeit numbers and 'tuk-tuks' and illegal applications are overwhelming Lebanon, and second, the problem of fuel and car parts prices."
He pointed out that public drivers do not have the authority to unilaterally increase fares, as this responsibility falls on the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, which determines the official fare, and he added: "I cannot violate the law while I demand its implementation."
Will drivers resort to blocking roads? Talys answered: "There will be no road closures, but our movements will be through cars, tankers, and trucks, so it is natural that this will obstruct traffic." What if the state does not meet the demands and the situation reaches a deadlock? Talys concluded: "Every incident has its own discussion."
