Latest news with #buses
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Spending review: New rail money for Wales could be coming down the line
The phrase is supposed to be about buses, but wait for a rail announcement and two could come along at of them could be a "win" next week for Eluned Morgan, who has been pushing for funding for more stations in south Wales and improvements in north Wales at the chancellor's Spending even if Morgan were to get the money needed for those schemes, she will still face accusations from opposition parties and many within Welsh Labour that Wales continues to be argue that Wales should be funded with anywhere between hundreds of millions and billions more pounds, as a consequential for schemes being built in England but which are designated England and Wales they would like the classification of some of the most prominent, and controversial ones, changed. 'Cough up' Let's deal with next week's potential announcement first minister has made no secret of the fact that she wants previous underinvestment government sources are not pushing back against the prospect that funding for rail improvements might be forthcoming and BBC Wales has been told that next steps on transport infrastructure spending will be set out at the spending is understood that the Welsh Secretary, Jo Stevens, has been pushing hard to get the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, and the Treasury, and I am using Eluned Morgan's words here, to "cough up" on said back in January that talks were taking place on investing in new stations between Cardiff and the Severn Tunnel, the cost of which was put at around £335m by a transport Welsh government has also recently published – largely unfunded – plans for a metro service in north funding would make logical sense - Reeves wants to invest in big infrastructure projects – and political sense too with Welsh Labour up against it in the polls 11 months from the Senedd Transport Secretary, Ken Skates, appears to be getting more certain as the spending review approaches. A fortnight ago he was "very very confident" Wales would do well and on Tuesday he said that a "pipeline" of work had been agreed with the UK then come two other announcements:On Wednesday, billions of pounds for schemes across northern England and the Midlands, which on first glance prompted the question: what about Wales and what about consequential funding?The simple answer to part one is - wait until next Wednesday; to part two - there should be consequential funding for bus and light rail schemes but not heavy rail, which is classified as England and Wales, with funding details to come. 'Fundamental injustice' On Tuesday a separate announcement on heavy rail sent familiar arguments hurtling back down the that Wales will not get a single consequential penny from a proposed new line between Oxford and Cambridge have led to accusations that it is HS2 "all over again".HS2 is the long-running and high profile rail-funding sore. Plaid Cymru says that Wales is owed £4bn pounds, a figure previously used by Welsh ministers who now say it is £350m and rising. The Liberal Democrats put the figure in the hundreds of millions - and the Welsh Conservatives call for "fair funding" in January the first minister herself called the England and Wales classification of HS2 a "fundamental injustice".At the same time a UK government source said they could not "fix" an injustice they had inherited from the previous Conservative scheme with similar issues to HS2 has allowed opposition parties – and some Labour politicians – to build up a head of steam before Reeves' announcement next week, although they would have been likely to make points about underfunding in the aftermath in any case. On rail Eluned Morgan might get something from one hand next week, but have something held back by the in UK Labour decisions on welfare reform, National Insurance contributions for public sector employers and potential changes to farming funding - all likely to disproportionately affect Wales – and it does not make the first minister's job any all this is before we get the expected confirmation of a squeeze on day-to-day public has adopted a new strategy to "call out" her Westminster colleagues when they, in her view, harm Wales, but she also needs them to they do not – or are not judged to have delivered – then it presents the first minister with some issues when she tries to convince voters next in the sidings after the chancellor's speech are eager opposition parties, buoyed in some cases by recent polling, to tell you that two Labour governments working together are not on track.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Lebanon on bumpy road to public transport revival
BEIRUT: On Beirut's chaotic, car-choked streets, Lebanese student Fatima Fakih rides a shiny purple bus to university, one of a fleet rolled out by authorities to revive public transport in a country struggling to deliver basic 19-year-old says the spacious public buses are 'safer, better and more comfortable,' than the informal network of private buses and minivans that have long substituted for mass transport.'I have my bus card — I don't have to have money with me,' she added, a major innovation in Lebanon, where cash is king and many private buses and minivans have no tickets at public transport system never recovered from the devastating 1975-1990 civil war that left the country in ruins, and in the decades since, car culture has before the economic crisis that began in 2019 — plunged much of the population into poverty and sent transport costs soaring — the country was running on empty, grappling with crumbling power, water and road public buses, now equipped with GPS tracking, have been slowly operate along 11 routes — mostly in greater Beirut but also reaching north, south and east Lebanon — with a private company managing operations. Fares start at about 80 told AFP the buses were not only safer and more cost-effective, but more environmentally also offer a respite from driving on Lebanon's largely lawless, potholed roads, where mopeds hurtle in all directions and traffic lights are system officially launched last July, during more than a year of hostilities between Israel and militant group Hezbollah that later slammed the brakes on some Daoud, 76, who remembers Lebanon's long-defunct trains and trams, said the public bus was 'orderly and organized' during his first World Bank's Beirut office told AFP that Lebanon's 'reliance on private vehicles is increasingly unsustainable,' noting rising poverty rates and vehicle operation Nasr, head of Lebanon's public transport authority, said passenger numbers now averaged around 4,500 a day, up from just a few hundred at said authorities hope to extend the network, including to Beirut airport, noting the need for more buses, and welcoming any international donated around half of the almost 100 buses now in circulation in and transport expert Tammam Nakkash said he hoped the buses would be 'a good start' but expressed concern at issues including the buses and minivans — many of them dilapidated and barrelling down the road at breakneck speed — cost similar to the public taxis are also ubiquitous, with fares starting at around $2 for short incidents of violence targeted the new public buses around their launch last and worker Daniel Imad, 19, said he welcomed the idea of public buses but had not tried them 'can go where they want for a low price' by taking shared taxis, he said before climbing into a one at a busy Beirut transport could also have environmental benefits in Lebanon, where climate concerns often take a back seat to daily challenges like long power blackouts.A World Bank climate and development report last year said the transport sector was Lebanon's second-biggest contributor to greenhouse gas and air pollution, accounting for a quarter of emissions, only behind the energy smaller initiatives have also popped up, including four hybrid buses in east Lebanon's Mneimne from the United Nations Development Programme said Lebanon's first fully electric buses with a solar charging system were set to launch this year, running between Beirut and Jbeil (Byblos) further the capital, university student Fakih encouraged everyone to take public buses, 'also to protect the environment.'Beirut residents often complain of poor air quality due to heavy traffic and private, diesel-fueled electricity generators that operate during power outages.'We don't talk about this a lot but it's very important,' she said, arguing that things could improve in the city 'if we all took public transport.'
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Don't have money, bus card will do: Can Lebanon's new public transport system get Beirut moving again?
BEIRUT, June 3 — On Beirut's chaotic, car-choked streets, Lebanese student Fatima Fakih rides a shiny purple bus to university, one of a fleet rolled out by authorities to revive public transport in a country struggling to deliver basic services. The 19-year-old says the spacious public buses are 'safer, better and more comfortable', than the informal network of private buses and minivans that have long substituted for mass transport. 'I have my bus card – I don't have to have money with me,' she added, a major innovation in Lebanon, where cash is king and many private buses and minivans have no tickets at all. Lebanon's public transport system never recovered from the devastating 1975-1990 civil war that left the country in ruins, and in the decades since, car culture has flourished. Even before the economic crisis that began in 2019 – plunged much of the population into poverty and sent transport costs soaring – the country was running on empty, grappling with crumbling power, water and road infrastructure. But public buses, now equipped with GPS tracking, have been slowly returning. They operate along 11 routes – mostly in greater Beirut but also reaching north, south and east Lebanon – with a private company managing operations. Fares start at about 80 cents. Pre-war tram, trains Passengers told AFP the buses were not only safer and more cost-effective, but more environmentally friendly. They also offer a respite from driving on Lebanon's largely lawless, potholed roads, where mopeds hurtle in all directions and traffic lights are scarce. The system officially launched last July, during more than a year of hostilities between Israel and militant group Hezbollah that later slammed the brakes on some services. Ali Daoud, 76, who remembers Lebanon's long-defunct trains and trams, said the public bus was 'orderly and organised' during his first ride. The World Bank's Beirut office told AFP that Lebanon's 'reliance on private vehicles is increasingly unsustainable', noting rising poverty rates and vehicle operation costs. Ziad Nasr, head of Lebanon's public transport authority, said passenger numbers now averaged around 4,500 a day, up from just a few hundred at launch. He said authorities hope to extend the network, including to Beirut airport, noting the need for more buses, and welcoming any international support. France donated around half of the almost 100 buses now in circulation in 2022. Consultant and transport expert Tammam Nakkash said he hoped the buses would be 'a good start' but expressed concern at issues including the competition. Private buses and minivans – many of them dilapidated and barrelling down the road at breakneck speed – cost similar to the public buses. Shared taxis are also ubiquitous, with fares starting at around US$2 for short trips. Several incidents of violence targeted the new public buses around their launch last year. Environment Student and worker Daniel Imad, 19, said he welcomed the idea of public buses but had not tried them yet. People 'can go where they want for a low price' by taking shared taxis, he said before climbing into a one at a busy Beirut intersection. Public transport could also have environmental benefits in Lebanon, where climate concerns often take a back seat to daily challenges like long power blackouts. A World Bank climate and development report last year said the transport sector was Lebanon's second-biggest contributor to greenhouse gas and air pollution, accounting for a quarter of emissions, only behind the energy sector. Some smaller initiatives have also popped up, including four hybrid buses in east Lebanon's Zahle. Nabil Mneimne from the United Nations Development Programme said Lebanon's first fully electric buses with a solar charging system were set to launch this year, running between Beirut and Jbeil (Byblos) further north. In the capital, university student Fakih encouraged everyone to take public buses, 'also to protect the environment'. Beirut residents often complain of poor air quality due to heavy traffic and private, diesel-fuelled electricity generators that operate during power outages. 'We don't talk about this a lot but it's very important,' she said, arguing that things could improve in the city 'if we all took public transport'. — AFP
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanon on Bumpy Road to Public Transport Revival
On Beirut's chaotic, car-choked streets, Lebanese student Fatima Fakih rides a shiny purple bus to university, one of a fleet rolled out by authorities to revive public transport in a country struggling to deliver basic services. The 19-year-old says the spacious public buses are "safer, better and more comfortable", than the informal network of private buses and minivans that have long substituted for mass transport. "I have my bus card -- I don't have to have money with me," she added, a major innovation in Lebanon, where cash is king and many private buses and minivans have no tickets at all. Lebanon's public transport system never recovered from the devastating 1975–1990 civil war that left the country in ruins, and in the decades since, car culture has flourished. Even before the economic crisis that began in 2019 -- plunged much of the population into poverty and sent transport costs soaring -- the country was running on empty, grappling with crumbling power, water and road infrastructure. But public buses, now equipped with GPS tracking, have been slowly returning. They operate along 11 routes -- mostly in greater Beirut but also reaching north, south and east Lebanon -- with a private company managing operations. Fares start at about 80 cents. Pre-war tram, trains Passengers told AFP the buses were not only safer and more cost-effective, but more environmentally friendly. They also offer a respite from driving on Lebanon's largely lawless, potholed roads, where mopeds hurtle in all directions and traffic lights are scarce. The system officially launched last July, during more than a year of hostilities between Israel and militant group Hezbollah that later slammed the brakes on some services. Ali Daoud, 76, who remembers Lebanon's long-defunct trains and trams, said the public bus was "orderly and organized" during his first ride. The World Bank's Beirut office told AFP that Lebanon's "reliance on private vehicles is increasingly unsustainable", noting rising poverty rates and vehicle operation costs. Ziad Nasr, head of Lebanon's public transport authority, said passenger numbers now averaged around 4,500 a day, up from just a few hundred at launch. He said authorities hope to extend the network, including to Beirut airport, noting the need for more buses, and welcoming any international support. France donated around half of the almost 100 buses now in circulation in 2022. Consultant and transport expert Tammam Nakkash said he hoped the buses would be "a good start" but expressed concern at issues including the competition. Private buses and minivans -- many of them dilapidated and barreling down the road at breakneck speed -- cost similar to the public buses. Shared taxis are also ubiquitous, with fares starting at around $2 for short trips. Several incidents of violence targeted the new public buses around their launch last year. Environment Student and worker Daniel Imad, 19, said he welcomed the idea of public buses but had not tried them yet. People "can go where they want for a low price" by taking shared taxis, he said before climbing into a one at a busy Beirut intersection. Public transport could also have environmental benefits in Lebanon, where climate concerns often take a back seat to daily challenges like long power blackouts. A World Bank climate and development report last year said the transport sector was Lebanon's second-biggest contributor to greenhouse gas and air pollution, accounting for a quarter of emissions, only behind the energy sector. Some smaller initiatives have also popped up, including four hybrid buses in east Lebanon's Zahle. Nabil Mneimne from the United Nations Development Program said Lebanon's first fully electric buses with a solar charging system were set to launch this year, running between Beirut and Jbeil (Byblos) further north. In the capital, university student Fakih encouraged everyone to take public buses, "also to protect the environment". Beirut residents often complain of poor air quality due to heavy traffic and private, diesel-fueled electricity generators that operate during power outages. "We don't talk about this a lot but it's very important," she said, arguing that things could improve in the city "if we all took public transport".
Al Arabiya
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Lebanon on bumpy road to revive its public transport
On Beirut's chaotic, car-choked streets, Lebanese student Fatima Fakih rides a shiny purple bus to university, one of a fleet rolled out by authorities to revive public transport in a country struggling to deliver basic services. The 19-year-old says the spacious public buses are 'safer, better and more comfortable,' than the informal network of private buses and minivans that have long substituted for mass transport. 'I have my bus card -- I don't have to have money with me,' she added, a major innovation in Lebanon, where cash is king and many private buses and minivans have no tickets at all. Lebanon's public transport system never recovered from the devastating 1975-1990 civil war that left the country in ruins, and in the decades since, car culture has flourished. Even before the economic crisis that began in 2019 -- plunged much of the population into poverty and sent transport costs soaring -- the country was running on empty, grappling with crumbling power, water and road infrastructure. But public buses, now equipped with GPS tracking, have been slowly returning. They operate along 11 routes -- mostly in greater Beirut but also reaching north, south and east Lebanon -- with a private company managing operations. Fares start at about 80 cents. Pre-war tram, trains Passengers told AFP the buses were not only safer and more cost-effective, but more environmentally friendly. They also offer a respite from driving on Lebanon's largely lawless, potholed roads, where mopeds hurtle in all directions and traffic lights are scarce. The system officially launched last July, during more than a year of hostilities between Israel and militant group Hezbollah that later slammed the brakes on some services. Ali Daoud, 76, who remembers Lebanon's long-defunct trains and trams, said the public bus was 'orderly and organized' during his first ride. The World Bank's Beirut office told AFP that Lebanon's 'reliance on private vehicles is increasingly unsustainable,' noting rising poverty rates and vehicle operation costs. Ziad Nasr, head of Lebanon's public transport authority, said passenger numbers now averaged around 4,500 a day, up from just a few hundred at launch. He said authorities hope to extend the network, including to Beirut airport, noting the need for more buses, and welcoming any international support. France donated around half of the almost 100 buses now in circulation in 2022. Consultant and transport expert Tammam Nakkash said he hoped the buses would be 'a good start' but expressed concern at issues including the competition. Private buses and minivans -- many of them dilapidated and barreling down the road at breakneck speed -- cost similar to the public buses. Shared taxis are also ubiquitous, with fares starting at around $2 for short trips. Several incidents of violence targeted the new public buses around their launch last year. Environment Student and worker Daniel Imad, 19, said he welcomed the idea of public buses but had not tried them yet. People 'can go where they want for a low price' by taking shared taxis, he said before climbing into a one at a busy Beirut intersection. Public transport could also have environmental benefits in Lebanon, where climate concerns often take a back seat to daily challenges like long power blackouts. A World Bank climate and development report last year said the transport sector was Lebanon's second-biggest contributor to greenhouse gas and air pollution, accounting for a quarter of emissions, only behind the energy sector. Some smaller initiatives have also popped up, including four hybrid buses in east Lebanon's Zahle. Nabil Mneimne from the United Nations Development Programme said Lebanon's first fully electric buses with a solar charging system were set to launch this year, running between Beirut and Jbeil (Byblos) further north. In the capital, university student Fakih encouraged everyone to take public buses, 'also to protect the environment.' Beirut residents often complain of poor air quality due to heavy traffic and private, diesel-fueled electricity generators that operate during power outages. 'We don't talk about this a lot but it's very important,' she said, arguing that things could improve in the city 'if we all took public transport.'
