In a first-of-its-kind move in Lebanon, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport announced the launch of Google Transit through the Google Maps app, allowing citizens to use public transport as a visible and practical option when planning their daily commutes.

The service enables users to view approved bus lines, follow routes, check estimated arrival and departure times, and receive step-by-step directions to reach their destinations.

While many citizens welcomed the move enthusiastically - and the Ministry promoted it as a breakthrough - technology and transport experts offered a more cautious assessment.

The initial excitement quickly met a more complex reality: integrating public transport into Google Maps, they said, is not enough to turn it into a reliable alternative in a city shaped by congestion, disorder, and weak legal enforcement.

Lebanese cities suffer from severe traffic jams that cost residents time and money daily, driven by heavy dependence on private cars and the absence of an effective public transport network. In this context, the ministry says it is working to reorganize the transport sector through road and bridge maintenance, expansion of the bus network, and the use of technology to track buses and make public transport easier to access.

Future plans also include railway and tramway projects, alongside the development of ports and the international airport - reflecting broader state efforts to improve governance and mobility despite Lebanon’s economic and infrastructure challenges.

A practical shift in transport sector organization

Officials say the project places citizens at the center of the transport system by making buses visible, trackable, and easier to use.

In an interview with Annahar, Ziad Chaya, Director General of Railways and Public Transport, described the integration into Google Maps as a “practical shift” in organizing the sector, arguing that it moves bus services from a limited framework into a digital platform that citizens use daily.

Chaya noted that Google Maps previously offered commuters only driving or walking options, but now includes a public transport option following the introduction of the service.

He explained that users can open the app, select public transport, view approved routes, compare distances between their current location and destination, and identify the nearest station to begin their journey.

Chaya further confirmed that lines operated by the public transport service are now visible and available.

On operational capacity, Chaya said the public transport fleet currently includes 93 buses, recently reinforced by 30 buses donated by Qatar, with additional batches expected - a development he said will allow the network to expand deeper into Lebanon’s provinces.

The expansion, he added, is accompanied by measures aimed at improving security, comfort, and price control. These include a central operations room connected to all buses, surveillance cameras, and GPS systems for real-time tracking. The ministry is also moving gradually toward prepaid cards as an alternative to cash payments—a shift common in many countries, though Chaya acknowledged that not all citizens are accustomed to the system yet.

Chaya concluded by stressing that the success of the system remains conditional on security protection, citing repeated attacks on public transport buses. He issued a direct call for the Internal Security Forces to intervene and prevent assaults, warning that meaningful development will remain impossible if “transport mafias” continue to obstruct the sector.

What do citizens say?

Annahar surveyed several public transport users.

Nisrine A., 29, who works in sales, said she often resorts to taxis - despite fares being around 100,000 Lebanese pounds higher than public buses - mainly because she does not know when a bus will arrive or how long she will need to wait. She said she was unaware of Google Transit’s launch, but believes that knowing accurate arrival times could change her decision and make her more likely to rely on public transport.

Fatima M., 25, who works in a beauty salon, said she relies exclusively on public transport because it is faster and does not stop frequently, as some other buses do. She said she travels directly from Burj Hammoud to Qoreitem without delay. Regarding the app, she said she had heard about the upcoming launch and welcomed the step, believing it will make commuting easier and more organized.

Potential obstacles to success

Despite public enthusiasm, experts argue that the success of Google Transit in Lebanon depends on factors far beyond the technical rollout—including governance, infrastructure, and stability, all of which shape the fate of digital projects in Lebanon.

Digital transformation and artificial intelligence expert Roland Abi Najm, also speaking to Annahar, said the primary challenge is the lack of political will and governance mechanisms. He noted that many projects in Lebanon begin with momentum but falter due to poor follow-through.

He cited traffic management as an example, pointing to widespread non-functional traffic lights and the absence of smart monitoring systems capable of enforcing violations.

Abi Najm explained that Google Transit relies on accurate, constantly updated data to determine stations and schedules - data that cannot remain static, given delays, accidents, detours, and shifting routes. He also pointed to Lebanon’s deteriorating infrastructure, where roads can be dug up or closed without notice, as well as security and wartime conditions that may render some areas inaccessible.

On the digital side, he warned that internet instability or interference with GPS signals could undermine the service’s accuracy. He stressed the need for a clear governance entity responsible for owning and updating transport data, enforcing regulations, and mandating GPS systems across both public and private transportation.

Abi Najm described the launch as a positive step, but cautioned against believing that a “press of a button” can transform Lebanon from a fragile reality into a fully digital system - particularly when the infrastructure remains too weak to sustain such services reliably.

International experiences and the deeper gaps

Adding buses to Google Transit may improve the commuting experience, but it also exposes structural weaknesses in Lebanon’s public transport management.

Transport expert Ali Zain told Annahar that while the step is positive, it remains largely cosmetic compared to the real problem: the absence of a comprehensive public transport plan.

He argued that the government lacks accurate data on commuting patterns, trip volumes, and citizens’ preferences — making current experiments feel “random” rather than evidence-based.

Zain also highlighted the lack of designated bus stops as a major obstacle, noting that public transport currently offers little competitive advantage over private cars. He added that frequency and coverage remain inadequate: some lines operate only once per hour, while functional public transport systems typically require service every 10 to 15 minutes to compete with car use.

He warned that without a clear plan, managing the system becomes extremely difficult. If a bus operator stops working, Lebanon has no reliable fallback mechanism—and the state continues to rely on available buses rather than actual demand.

Zain also pointed to fragmentation between sectors, noting the lack of integration between traditional public transport (minibuses and informal buses) and state-run buses. He said the ministry must take responsibility for merging these sectors into a single integrated system capable of meeting citizens’ needs.

Ultimately, Google Transit is neither a magical solution to Lebanon’s long-running transport crisis nor a shortcut to digital governance. But in a country exhausted by successive crises, it may represent one of the few attempts to break the stagnation—a step that, while limited, is still better than standing still.