Amman, July 6 (Petra) -- Jordan is pressing ahead with an ambitious expansion of its public transport network as part of a nationwide effort to build an integrated, safe and efficient system linking all governorates, in line with the objectives of the Economic Modernization Vision.

The government's recent approval of the second phase of the inter-governorate regular public transport project marks a significant step toward strengthening connectivity between Amman and the governorates while maintaining current fare levels without any increase.

The project reflects the Royal vision of establishing a comprehensive national public transport network that improves mobility, enhances service quality and provides citizens, particularly students, with safer and more reliable transportation while reducing household transportation costs.

The agreement for the project's second phase was recently signed by Director General of the Land Transport Regulatory Commission Eng. Riyad Al-Kharabsheh, Chairman of Integrated Multi-Transport Company Eng. Salah Al-Louzi and Chief Executive Officer of Amman Vision Transport Eng. Mohammad Al-Laimoun.

The second phase includes the operation of nine routes, including seven main corridors connecting Amman with Ma'an, Tafilah and Ajloun, in addition to direct inter-governorate services linking Irbid with Zarqa, Zarqa with Mafraq, Jerash with Irbid, Jerash with Mafraq, and two additional routes connecting Karak with Zarqa and Aqaba.

Upon completion, the project will operate a fleet of 210 buses with an expected daily capacity of approximately 13,500 passengers.

The expansion is designed to deliver a more efficient, reliable and accessible transport service while accelerating digital transformation through the deployment of intelligent transport systems, including real-time vehicle tracking, electronic ticketing and onboard surveillance systems. These technologies are expected to improve operational efficiency, enhance passenger safety and provide users with accurate travel information.

The project also supports economic and social development by strengthening connectivity between Jordan's regions, facilitating mobility and reinforcing public-private partnerships in implementing national infrastructure projects.

The first phase, launched in 2025, introduced scheduled public transport services across four governorates using 127 buses operating according to fixed timetables supported by central monitoring and surveillance systems, laying the operational foundation for the project's expansion.

The annual operating cost of the second phase is estimated at JD5.76 million, fully allocated through government operational support to improve service quality and ensure long-term sustainability.

Services under the second phase are expected to begin by the end of this month, extending scheduled transport services between Amman and the southern governorates while strengthening connections among northern and central governorates.

Minister of Transport Dr. Nidal Al-Qatamin said the government considers public transport a national priority and remains committed to implementing high-quality projects that improve services in line with the Economic Modernization Vision.

He said the second phase represents an advanced step toward establishing an integrated public transport system based on modern technologies that provides safe, reliable and efficient services while reducing travel time, easing traffic congestion, encouraging greater use of public transportation and improving operational efficiency and sustainability.

Director General of the Land Transport Regulatory Commission Eng. Riyad Al-Kharabsheh said the decision to proceed with the second phase followed the positive performance and public feedback achieved during the first phase.

He noted that the expanded network will feature fixed schedules, extended operating hours, increased trip frequencies, central monitoring and electronic ticketing through a dedicated mobile application.

The commission plans to expand the network to approximately 1,000 buses in the future, with the second phase expected to serve around 15,000 passengers each day.

Chairman of Integrated Multi-Transport Company Eng. Salah Al-Louzi said the company has signed a new agreement with the Land Transport Regulatory Commission to provide operational management and oversight for the second phase of the project.

He said the agreement builds on the first-phase restructuring project signed in May 2025 and will remain in effect for three years from the commencement order issued by the commission.

Under the agreement, the company will oversee daily operational management and service quality across the seven principal routes included in the second phase, while Amman Vision Transport will operate the intelligent transport systems and electronic payment platform.

Al-Louzi said the progress achieved so far reflects clear political commitment and sustained government efforts to place public transport at the forefront of national development priorities, adding that the next phase will further expand inter-governorate connectivity and improve services in accordance with the highest operational standards.

The commission will retain overall responsibility for project supervision, contract management and implementation oversight.

Performance indicators from the first phase underscore the project's success and support the decision to proceed with expansion. More than 1.3 million passengers benefited from scheduled transport services linking Irbid, Jerash, Karak and Ma'an with Amman through modern transport operators equipped with electronic payment systems, GPS tracking and onboard cameras.

The Integrated Multi-Transport Company also transported approximately 43 million passengers across the transport systems it manages during 2025, averaging around 177,000 passengers daily. The Amman Bus Rapid Transit system alone currently serves between 120,000 and 130,000 passengers each day, highlighting the growing reliance on public transportation across the Kingdom.

//Petra// RZ