Transport experts confirmed that developing the passenger transport system through the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project and the Amman-Governorates Intercity Connection represents a strategic shift in restructuring the national passenger network. They noted that this transition aims to build a more competitive and sustainable economy, aligning with the Economic Modernization Vision.
اضافة اعلان
Experts stated that these projects contribute to reorganizing intercity movement patterns, reducing traffic congestion, and lowering the economic costs of transport. Furthermore, they facilitate better utilization of current and future routes, supporting investment sustainability and stimulating economic activity around transport hubs.
Economic and Productive Impact
Former Minister of Transport, Dr. Lina Shbeeb, emphasized that this strategic direction reduces commuting times and eases congestion, which positively impacts workforce productivity and the smooth flow of trade and services. She highlighted the following economic benefits:
Attracting Investment: Providing a more attractive business environment and reducing transport costs for individuals and companies.
Sectoral Support: Boosting related sectors such as tourism and local trade.
Job Creation: Generating new opportunities in operations, maintenance, and urban planning.
Urban Development: Bridging service gaps between the capital and the provinces while promoting "Clean Transport" to reduce emissions.
Royal Vision and Sustainable Development
Eng. Salah Al-Lozi, Chairman of the Integrated Multi-Transport Company, noted that the public transport sector is a strategic priority and a primary driver for socio-economic development, in line with His Majesty King Abdullah II’s vision. He stressed that a reliable public transport system enhances national productivity by enabling employees and students to reach their destinations efficiently.
From an urban perspective, Al-Lozi added that public transport is a key tool in managing Sustainable Urban Growth, directing urban expansion toward transport axes and improving the urban environment by reducing pollution.
Cultural Shift in Mobility
Eng. Amer Al-Bashir, a researcher in urban planning and former MP, described public transport as an "Economic Investment in Time." He stated that the BRT project is the cornerstone of an integrated urban transport system that reclaims urban space for collective mobility.
Malek Haddad, Secretary-General of the Arab Union of Land Transport, pointed out that the real challenge lies in shifting the "Jordanian Mobility Culture" from excessive reliance on private cars to adopting collective transport as a lifestyle. He provided a brief history of the projects:
Amman BRT: Initiated in 2009 with funding from the French Development Agency (AFD), consisting of 150 buses over two routes (25 km) with 36 stations.
Intercity Connection: Part of the Economic Modernization Vision’s executive program, starting with Irbid and Jerash lines and expanding to Salt and Karak.
Government Support and Quality of Life
Dr. Mohammad Al-Nasser, Professor of Transport Planning at the University of Jordan, highlighted that the intercity project is pioneering because it involves Government Subsidies to private operators in exchange for adhering to fixed, announced schedules regardless of passenger occupancy levels.
Dr. Nassim Al-Tuwaisi, Professor of Quality Management, and Eng. Mais Ghanem, Transport Specialist at the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), both concluded that these projects enhance the quality of urban life. They emphasized that high-efficiency transport axes act as catalysts for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), transforming areas around stations into active, integrated community hubs.
