Tunisian Transport Minister Rashid Al-Amri stated on Saturday that vandalism on public transport, including trains, buses, and metro lines, has resulted in significant financial losses. The losses are estimated to be around 4 million dinars between 2025 and 2026. This announcement was made during the launch of the third edition of the Ministry of Transport's initiative to preserve public facilities.
Minister Al-Amri emphasized that the vandalism has not only targeted public transport but also its employees, with 362 individuals affected during the same period. He considered this number to be high, reflecting the seriousness of these practices and their impact on the safety of workers and citizens, as well as the negative effects on the operation of public facilities and transport services.
The Minister called for the allocation of funds, currently used for repairing damages caused by vandalism, to be redirected towards developing the sector and acquiring equipment to improve the quality of services provided to citizens. He stressed the importance of collaboration between various stakeholders, including families, educational institutions, civil society components, and concerned authorities, to educate and raise awareness among Tunisian youth.
Representatives from the Ministries of Interior, Education, Youth and Sports, Health, Religious Affairs, and Women's, Family, Childhood, and Elderly Affairs, emphasized the need for continued efforts to raise awareness among young people about the importance of preserving public facilities. They suggested organizing meetings and dialogues within schools and institutes, dedicating Friday sermons to raising awareness about this phenomenon, and intensifying security patrols to counter vandalism.
The participants proposed establishing clubs in educational institutions to educate children and young people about the risks associated with vandalism on public transport. They also suggested increasing awareness campaigns targeting young people and forming a national committee comprising various concerned parties to monitor and address the phenomenon of vandalism on public facilities.
During the event, a video was screened highlighting the risks of stone-throwing at trains, and the winners of competitions for the best awareness-raising drawing and audio-visual clip were announced. These competitions aimed to educate young people about the dangers of stone-throwing at trains and its consequences.
The initiative aims to promote a culture of preservation and respect for public facilities among Tunisian youth. The Ministry of Transport's efforts are expected to contribute to reducing vandalism and promoting a safer and more efficient public transport system.
Key points
- The vandalism has resulted in an estimated 4 million dinars in losses between 2025 and 2026.
- A total of 362 individuals have been affected by the vandalism targeting public transport employees.
- The Ministry of Transport is seeking to redirect funds from repairs to developing the sector and improving services.
