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Zahle Eco Friendly Hybrid Buses

Zahlé, Lebanon

2019 - Ongoing

Air QualityClimate ChangeMobilityTransportation

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Project Description

Approach Words: Integrated City, Sustainability, Urban Livability

Public Policy Instruments: Financial Mechanism, Physical Intervention, Planning

Zahle Eco Friendly Hybrid Buses is a sustainable public transportation project, the first eco-friendly hybrid buses project in Lebanon, located in Zahle City in the Beqaa region.¹ The project is part of a program called the “Local Development Program along the Litani River Basin” (LRB)ⁱ, funded by the European Union and implemented by the Economic and Social Fund for Development (ESFD).ⁱⁱ ² The LRB program aims to address the “negative effects of the degradation of natural resources in the Litani River basin and the deterioration of the living conditions of local communities in this geographic region”.³

The project aims to improve public transportation in Zahle⁴ by providing a sustainable, safe, efficient, and effective mass public transport service that will solve the traffic congestion problem⁵ and decrease the number of cars, vans and tuk-tuks in the city.⁶ It also seeks to reduce the air pollution levels that are significantly high in the city.⁷

Title: Zahle Eco Friendly Hybrid Bus

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Title: One of the Stations of the buses in Zahle

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Title: The Interior of the Bus

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Title: The Zahle Eco-Friendly Hybrid Bus navigating the streets of the city

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Title: Zahle Eco Friendly Hybrid Bus

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Title: One of the Stations of the buses in Zahle

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Title: The Interior of the Bus

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Title: The Zahle Eco-Friendly Hybrid Bus navigating the streets of the city

Source: Click Here

The network includes 4 buses that connect major neighborhoods in Zahle through three main lines:⁸

The first line runs from the main station to key public administration hubs, including the Palace of Justice and the governorate center.⁹ ¹⁰ The trips of this line start early to meet the needs of the official administrations.¹¹
The second line starts from the Zahle roundabout and extends along the city’s boulevard to the Bardouni tourist area,¹² ¹³ serving the commercial market to the tourist cafes area.¹⁴ Trips on this line start from nine in the morning.¹⁵

These two lines will collectively feature 16 stations.¹⁶

The third line connects the Ksara roundabout to the roundabout of Hamra Plaza in the village of Karak Nouh,¹⁷ serving especially for university students.¹⁸ This line includes 27 stations.¹⁹

The buses run for 16 hours continuously everyday, throughout the week including public holidays and events.²⁰ Additionally, the project serves as a practical solution to the problem of high transportation costs.²¹ Rides will be free for senior citizens, individuals with special needs, and children under the age of ten, while students will benefit from a 50% discount on tickets.²²

The buses are distinguished by their modern design and well-equipped interiors, featuring air conditioning, a capacity for 100 passengers, and dedicated accessible spaces for individuals with disabilities.²³ The hybrid system operates partially on electricity and also utilizes AdBlue, a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) that converts nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions into harmless nitrogen and water, significantly reducing environmental impact.²⁴

Owner/Developer (Public)

Zahle-Al-Muallaqa and Taanayel municipality ³⁴

Consultant/Designer

Economic and Social Fund for Development (ESFD) ³⁵

Funder

European Union ³⁷

Contractor/Implementer

Zahle-Al-Muallaqa and Taanayel municipality ³⁸

Economic and Social Fund for Development (ESFD)³⁹

Owner/Developer (Public)

Zahle-Al-Muallaqa and Taanayel municipality ³⁴

Contractor/Implementer

Zahle-Al-Muallaqa and Taanayel municipality ³⁸

Economic and Social Fund for Development (ESFD)³⁹

Funder

European Union ³⁷

Consultant/Designer

Economic and Social Fund for Development (ESFD) ³⁵

The project is initiated by Zahle-Al-Muallaqa and Taanayel municipality.²⁵ ²⁶ It will be implemented and managed by the municipality in collaboration with the Economic and Social Fund for Development (ESFD).²⁷ ²⁸ The implementation works includes the rehabilitation of the buses station, construction of the buses rail, establishment of the bus stops.²⁹ The project cost is approximately $1.26 million funded through a grant from the European Union.³⁰ ³¹

Since the 27th of June 2024, the municipality has been conducting a pilot of the project, expected to last six months . It is divided into two phases, where during the first three-month phase, fixed bus schedules and arrival times at stops will be established, along with an assessment of the required number of trips for each of the three lines in operation.³² In the second phase, the focus will be on developing a detailed conditions book, guided by a comprehensive study and a clear assessment of needs. This will establish a solid foundation for awarding the service in full compliance with the Public Procurement Law.³³

Project Link, Endnotes and References

Project Link

https://esfd.cdr.gov.lb/news-photo/signature-of-memorandum-of-understanding-with-municipality-of-zahle

Endnotes

i More info about the “Local Development Program along the Litani River Basin” (LRB) program is available in these links: https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=199249#:~:text=In%20December%202018%2C%20the%20Government,Lebanon%20to%20address%20the%20negative
https://esfd.cdr.gov.lb/uploads/content/publications/attachment_litani-river-basin-projects-implemented-by-the-esfd-and-funded-by-eu.pdf
ii ESFD is an institution managed by the Council for Development and Reconstruction, which is a Lebanese governmental organization.

References

‘Zahle becomes first Lebanese city to launch trial hybrid city buses’. (2024). L’Orient Today. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1420377/zahle-becomes-first-lebanese-city-to-launch-trial-hybrid-city-buses.html>
‘Zahle becomes first Lebanese city to launch trial hybrid city buses’. (2024). L’Orient Today. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1420377/zahle-becomes-first-lebanese-city-to-launch-trial-hybrid-city-buses.html>
‘Zahle becomes first Lebanese city to launch trial hybrid city buses’. (2024). L’Orient Today. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1420377/zahle-becomes-first-lebanese-city-to-launch-trial-hybrid-city-buses.html>
‘Zahle Is Finally Getting Intercity Eco-Buses And The Tickets Are Super Affordable’. (2024). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://www.the961.com/zahle-is-getting-eco-buses-and-the-tickets-are-affordable/>
‘Zahle launches public transportation on its streets.. a pioneering experience that makes it a model for Lebanese regions – Lebanon Today’. (n.d.). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://en.961today.com/12871/>
‘Zahle becomes first Lebanese city to launch trial hybrid city buses’. (2024). L’Orient Today. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1420377/zahle-becomes-first-lebanese-city-to-launch-trial-hybrid-city-buses.html>
‘Zahle becomes first Lebanese city to launch trial hybrid city buses’. (2024). L’Orient Today. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1420377/zahle-becomes-first-lebanese-city-to-launch-trial-hybrid-city-buses.html>
‘Zahle launches public transportation on its streets.. a pioneering experience that makes it a model for Lebanese regions – Lebanon Today’. (n.d.). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://en.961today.com/12871/>
urbexed. (2024). ‘Zahlè has now also got new Hybrid buses with dedicated bus stops’. r/lebanon. Reddit Post, . Retrieved December 3, 2024, from <www.reddit.com/r/lebanon/comments/1dzt4ij/zahlè_has_now_also_got_new_hybrid_buses_with/>
‘Zahle launches public transportation on its streets.. a pioneering experience that makes it a model for Lebanese regions – Lebanon Today’. (n.d.). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://en.961today.com/12871/>
urbexed. (2024). ‘Zahlè has now also got new Hybrid buses with dedicated bus stops’. r/lebanon. Reddit Post, . Retrieved December 3, 2024, from <www.reddit.com/r/lebanon/comments/1dzt4ij/zahlè_has_now_also_got_new_hybrid_buses_with/>
‘Zahle becomes first Lebanese city to launch trial hybrid city buses’. (2024). L’Orient Today. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1420377/zahle-becomes-first-lebanese-city-to-launch-trial-hybrid-city-buses.html>
‘Zahle launches public transportation on its streets.. a pioneering experience that makes it a model for Lebanese regions – Lebanon Today’. (n.d.). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://en.961today.com/12871/>
urbexed. (2024). ‘Zahlè has now also got new Hybrid buses with dedicated bus stops’. r/lebanon. Reddit Post, . Retrieved December 3, 2024, from <www.reddit.com/r/lebanon/comments/1dzt4ij/zahlè_has_now_also_got_new_hybrid_buses_with/>
urbexed. (2024). ‘Zahlè has now also got new Hybrid buses with dedicated bus stops’. r/lebanon. Reddit Post, . Retrieved December 3, 2024, from <www.reddit.com/r/lebanon/comments/1dzt4ij/zahlè_has_now_also_got_new_hybrid_buses_with/>
‘Zahle launches public transportation on its streets.. a pioneering experience that makes it a model for Lebanese regions – Lebanon Today’. (n.d.). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://en.961today.com/12871/>
‘Zahle becomes first Lebanese city to launch trial hybrid city buses’. (2024). L’Orient Today. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1420377/zahle-becomes-first-lebanese-city-to-launch-trial-hybrid-city-buses.html>
urbexed. (2024). ‘Zahlè has now also got new Hybrid buses with dedicated bus stops’. r/lebanon. Reddit Post, . Retrieved December 3, 2024, from <www.reddit.com/r/lebanon/comments/1dzt4ij/zahlè_has_now_also_got_new_hybrid_buses_with/>
‘Zahle launches public transportation on its streets.. a pioneering experience that makes it a model for Lebanese regions – Lebanon Today’. (n.d.). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://en.961today.com/12871/>
urbexed. (2024). ‘Zahlè has now also got new Hybrid buses with dedicated bus stops’. r/lebanon. Reddit Post, . Retrieved December 3, 2024, from <www.reddit.com/r/lebanon/comments/1dzt4ij/zahlè_has_now_also_got_new_hybrid_buses_with/>
‘Zahle launches public transportation on its streets.. a pioneering experience that makes it a model for Lebanese regions – Lebanon Today’. (n.d.). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://en.961today.com/12871/>
‘Zahle Is Finally Getting Intercity Eco-Buses And The Tickets Are Super Affordable’. (2024). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://www.the961.com/zahle-is-getting-eco-buses-and-the-tickets-are-affordable/>
‘Zahle becomes first Lebanese city to launch trial hybrid city buses’. (2024). L’Orient Today. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1420377/zahle-becomes-first-lebanese-city-to-launch-trial-hybrid-city-buses.html>
‘Zahle becomes first Lebanese city to launch trial hybrid city buses’. (2024). L’Orient Today. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1420377/zahle-becomes-first-lebanese-city-to-launch-trial-hybrid-city-buses.html>
‘Zahle launches public transportation on its streets.. a pioneering experience that makes it a model for Lebanese regions – Lebanon Today’. (n.d.). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://en.961today.com/12871/>
‘Zahle Is Finally Getting Intercity Eco-Buses And The Tickets Are Super Affordable’. (2024). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://www.the961.com/zahle-is-getting-eco-buses-and-the-tickets-are-affordable/>
‘Zahle Is Finally Getting Intercity Eco-Buses And The Tickets Are Super Affordable’. (2024). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://www.the961.com/zahle-is-getting-eco-buses-and-the-tickets-are-affordable/>
‘Zahle becomes first Lebanese city to launch trial hybrid city buses’. (2024). L’Orient Today. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1420377/zahle-becomes-first-lebanese-city-to-launch-trial-hybrid-city-buses.html>
‘ESFD :: News Photo’. (n.d.). . Retrieved December 3, 2024, from <https://esfd.cdr.gov.lb/news-photo/signature-of-memorandum-of-understanding-with-municipality-of-zahle>
‘Zahle Is Finally Getting Intercity Eco-Buses And The Tickets Are Super Affordable’. (2024). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://www.the961.com/zahle-is-getting-eco-buses-and-the-tickets-are-affordable/>
‘الوكالة الوطنية للإعلام – European Union Ambassador launches project “Promoting Environment-Friendly Public Transport ” in Zahle – Al-Muallaqa and Taanayel’. (n.d.). National News Agency. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from <https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/en/%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA/704416>
‘Zahle launches public transportation on its streets.. a pioneering experience that makes it a model for Lebanese regions – Lebanon Today’. (n.d.). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://en.961today.com/12871/>
‘Zahle launches public transportation on its streets.. a pioneering experience that makes it a model for Lebanese regions – Lebanon Today’. (n.d.). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://en.961today.com/12871/>
‘Zahle launches public transportation on its streets.. a pioneering experience that makes it a model for Lebanese regions – Lebanon Today’. (n.d.). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://en.961today.com/12871/>
‘Zahle Is Finally Getting Intercity Eco-Buses And The Tickets Are Super Affordable’. (2024). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://www.the961.com/zahle-is-getting-eco-buses-and-the-tickets-are-affordable/>
‘Zahle launches public transportation on its streets.. a pioneering experience that makes it a model for Lebanese regions – Lebanon Today’. (n.d.). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://en.961today.com/12871/>
‘Zahle Is Finally Getting Intercity Eco-Buses And The Tickets Are Super Affordable’. (2024). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://www.the961.com/zahle-is-getting-eco-buses-and-the-tickets-are-affordable/>
‘Zahle launches public transportation on its streets.. a pioneering experience that makes it a model for Lebanese regions – Lebanon Today’. (n.d.). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://en.961today.com/12871/>
‘Zahle Is Finally Getting Intercity Eco-Buses And The Tickets Are Super Affordable’. (2024). . Retrieved December 2, 2024, from <https://www.the961.com/zahle-is-getting-eco-buses-and-the-tickets-are-affordable/>