In recent days, news has circulated that Qatar has informed Lebanon of its offer to provide 3,000 buses used during the World Cup as a gift to help alleviate the transportation crisis. However, no official confirmation from Doha has been announced regarding this statement despite its widespread discussion in Lebanon. This news is not new; caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati explicitly requested this matter during his last visit to Qatar ahead of its hosting of the World Cup, and it seems that the response from Doha was positive.
While there is nothing official yet on this topic, the most important question is whether Lebanon has the capacity to operate such a large number of buses, especially considering that not all of the fifty French buses have been put into operation yet. Traffic safety management expert Kamal Ibrahim responded via "Al-Anbaa" electronic news, saying: "Let's wait and see the plan from the Ministry of Public Works to activate public transport in Lebanon. The issue isn't just about securing buses but having a clear plan to ensure the continuity of these buses' operation and their ongoing maintenance. This requires a political decision, which is currently not available."
Ibrahim added, "Minister of Public Works Ali Hamie has an interest in the public transport file, but significant obstacles have appeared with the French buses, as only 10 of them have been operated so far." He questioned the relevant authorities whether all existing obstacles that hindered the operation of most of the French buses have been removed, stating that the state does not have the capacity to absorb this number of buses.
The news is certainly positive if it benefits the Lebanese people and reduces their burdens of transportation costs amidst rising fuel prices. However, the answer lies with the relevant authorities, particularly the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and the state's ability to quickly invest and employ this initiative for the comfort of its citizens.
