Baghdad tests public transport capacity as 12 million students return to school

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's capital is preparing for a public transport crunch as the new school year approaches on September 20, with roughly 12 million students set to return to classrooms against a backdrop of around 3 million vehicles on Baghdad's roads each day and more than 8 million nationwide. Transport Ministry spokesperson Hussein Ahmed said the state-owned passenger transport company operates approximately 1,000 buses of varying capacities, but a shortage of drivers remains the main obstacle to expanding service. The ministry is working to transfer 1,000 contracted employees from the Electricity Ministry to fill driving and technical roles, while roughly 500 driver positions have been advertised through the Federal Public Service Agency. Ahmed said new routes have been opened to universities and education districts. He added that Baghdad introduced its first modern bus stop structure in 2024, equipped with air conditioning, internet access and passenger information screens, and that the number 43 Karkh-Babulazam line was launched in March. Iraq has been without modern public transport systems for four decades. Economist Ahmed al-Janabi said a single bus carrying 40 passengers could pull dozens of vehicles off the road, reducing fuel consumption, accidents and emissions. Former Transport Minister Salam al-Maliki proposed a broader package including staggered work hours one hour apart, student transport by educational institutions, removing trucks from peak-hour traffic and introducing smart traffic systems.