A group of public transport drivers cut off the road today at the Ring Bridge after having opened the road earlier at the Emigrant Statue. The drivers are currently heading to the Interior and Municipalities Ministry in the Snaa neighborhood of Beirut. Earlier, the "Gathering of Public Transport Drivers in Lebanon" staged a protest in Riad Al-Solh Square in Beirut against what they described as "the ongoing chaos in this sector and the deterioration of living conditions."
The drivers demanded that the relevant authorities take action against those violating the profession within the transport sector, including those with fake plates and motorcycle operators who transport passengers, which impacts the livelihoods of the drivers' families. They also called for a halt to the employment of Syrian drivers in this sector and for action against those working via "platforms."
According to the "National News Agency," public transport drivers are now heading towards the Dora area, having blocked traffic in both directions in front of the Charles Helou station opposite the Electricité du Liban, as well as at the Emigrant Statue. Another group of drivers blocked the road leading to Hamra at the intersection with the Central Bank, causing severe traffic jams from all directions in the Achrafieh area, trapping citizens in their cars and urging officials to open the roads.
The military and security forces were not present during the protest, while several taxi drivers joined their colleagues at the Charles Helou junction to affirm their ongoing action. They demanded that Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Minister of Public Works Ali Hamieh implement all of their demands, insisting that taxi fares not be below $2 for shared taxis and $4 for regular taxis, citing high expenses they incur, particularly concerning insurance, spare parts, and fuel.
Photography by: Former Photographer's Syndicate Chief Abbas Salman.
