Faraya Announces New Measures to Regulate Online Booking and Ease Congestion at King Hussein Bridge
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Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya chaired a meeting Sunday morning at the King Hussein Bridge with bridge officials and the CEO of JETT Bus Company to address complaints surrounding the electronic booking system for travelers crossing the bridge. Issues included the inability to book for several days, long wait times, and exploitation of travelers, leading to congestion and service delays.اضافة اعلان
Minister Faraya stressed the importance of addressing all complaints and observations in a way that upholds the bridge’s role as a humanitarian crossing that facilitates the movement of citizens and Palestinians based on humanitarian priorities.
After listening to briefings from bridge officials and the CEO of JETT, the minister confirmed that one major issue stems from travelers arriving significantly earlier than their scheduled departure times, creating overcrowding. He also noted attempts by parties affected by the new platform to undermine its credibility.
Another key problem identified was the ability of individuals to purchase multiple tickets through the online system without restrictions, allowing them to resell tickets at inflated prices. Many travelers were found to be buying tickets through third parties instead of directly through the official platform, exposing them to exploitation.
The meeting also highlighted the issue of individuals frequently using the bridge for commercial or personal gain rather than for essential travel, thereby adding to congestion and affecting the efficiency of procedures. This is particularly critical given the limited daily capacity agreed upon with the other side of the border.
To address these challenges, Minister Faraya directed the implementation of several measures, including:
Restricting individuals to a limited number of electronic tickets.
Requiring tickets to be issued in the traveler’s own name with secure, tamper-proof features.
Matching the name on the ticket with the name in the passport.
Prohibiting entry to the bridge area for individuals without valid travel tickets.
He also instructed JETT to digitize the VIP travel service, making it available through the online platform rather than in person, and to upgrade its facilities to improve the travel experience.
Minister Faraya urged travelers to arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before their departure time to avoid long wait times and reduce congestion.
Additionally, he directed relevant authorities to work with the Ministry of Interior's IT Directorate to monitor and restrict frequent users who may be misusing the bridge for non-essential travel. He also ordered the Governor of Balqa and the West Balqa Police Chief to conduct ongoing security campaigns in the surrounding areas to deter unlawful activity and prevent exploitation of travelers.
Coordination with the Shouneh Municipality was also requested to rehabilitate the area around the bridge and establish a dedicated parking lot to replace the current practice of roadside parking.
The minister toured the bridge facilities, listened directly to travelers' concerns, and emphasized the need to respond promptly to complaints to ensure high-quality service.
JETT had previously announced the launch of an online-only booking service for King Hussein Bridge travelers starting in June, developed in coordination with the Ministry of Interior. The digital platform has contributed to procedural improvements across the board.
Minister Faraya stressed the importance of addressing all complaints and observations in a way that upholds the bridge’s role as a humanitarian crossing that facilitates the movement of citizens and Palestinians based on humanitarian priorities.
After listening to briefings from bridge officials and the CEO of JETT, the minister confirmed that one major issue stems from travelers arriving significantly earlier than their scheduled departure times, creating overcrowding. He also noted attempts by parties affected by the new platform to undermine its credibility.
Another key problem identified was the ability of individuals to purchase multiple tickets through the online system without restrictions, allowing them to resell tickets at inflated prices. Many travelers were found to be buying tickets through third parties instead of directly through the official platform, exposing them to exploitation.
The meeting also highlighted the issue of individuals frequently using the bridge for commercial or personal gain rather than for essential travel, thereby adding to congestion and affecting the efficiency of procedures. This is particularly critical given the limited daily capacity agreed upon with the other side of the border.
To address these challenges, Minister Faraya directed the implementation of several measures, including:
Restricting individuals to a limited number of electronic tickets.
Requiring tickets to be issued in the traveler’s own name with secure, tamper-proof features.
Matching the name on the ticket with the name in the passport.
Prohibiting entry to the bridge area for individuals without valid travel tickets.
He also instructed JETT to digitize the VIP travel service, making it available through the online platform rather than in person, and to upgrade its facilities to improve the travel experience.
Minister Faraya urged travelers to arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before their departure time to avoid long wait times and reduce congestion.
Additionally, he directed relevant authorities to work with the Ministry of Interior's IT Directorate to monitor and restrict frequent users who may be misusing the bridge for non-essential travel. He also ordered the Governor of Balqa and the West Balqa Police Chief to conduct ongoing security campaigns in the surrounding areas to deter unlawful activity and prevent exploitation of travelers.
Coordination with the Shouneh Municipality was also requested to rehabilitate the area around the bridge and establish a dedicated parking lot to replace the current practice of roadside parking.
The minister toured the bridge facilities, listened directly to travelers' concerns, and emphasized the need to respond promptly to complaints to ensure high-quality service.
JETT had previously announced the launch of an online-only booking service for King Hussein Bridge travelers starting in June, developed in coordination with the Ministry of Interior. The digital platform has contributed to procedural improvements across the board.
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