BEIRUT: Public transportation fees officially increased Wednesday, the public works and transport minister announced, as Lebanon grapples with its worst economic crisis in decades.

These fees take into consideration the interests of citizens and the sector, Public Works and Transport Minister Michel Najjar said, after announcing that he signed an executive order to increase the fees for public transportation in the Beirut administrative district.

Service taxis, which previously asked for LL2,000 for standard rides, are now going to ask for LL3,000, and buses and vans that operated at a price of LL1,000 will now ask for LL1,500.

Najjar announced his decision after a meeting with the Syndicate of Public Transportation, whose members had been protesting for the past few weeks against unfair fees that do not reflect the countrys financial reality.

People who do not own private vehicles greatly rely on Lebanons chaotic public transportation system that is due a major overhaul.

As the national currency lost more than 80 percent of its value against the dollar, peoples livelihoods have been at risk and their purchasing power has dramatically diminished.

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