Details behind expansion of Amman-Zarqa Bus Rapid Transit

Jordan's Ministry of Transport is set to enhance its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system with the addition of 20 new buses on the Amman-Zarqa routes. 

Minister of Transport Wesam Tahtamouni announced that this expansion aims to improve service and connectivity along this crucial corridor.

Tahtamouni detailed at the recent Government Communication Forum that the Amman-Zarqa BRT route will be supported by a network of feeder lines linking intermediate stations. 

The Minister revealed that by the end of July, the BRT buses on the Amman-Zarqa routes had served a total of 991,411 passengers. 

Additionally, bus usage within Amman has seen a significant increase, with 7,922,888 passengers recorded since the start of operations.

The operational strategy includes deploying 100 buses within Amman and 48 buses along the Amman-Zarqa corridor, managed by Amman Vision Investment & Development, which offers electronic payment facilities.

Tahtamouni also provided an update on the second phase of the project, which covers Greater Amman Municipality (GAM). 

Preliminary studies have been completed, and detailed designs are now in progress. 

This phase features three routes totaling 42.7km: the first runs from Na’our Junction to King Abdullah II Street, reaching Suweileh Station; the second extends from Suweileh Station through Yarmouk Street, Middle East Circle, Prince Hassan Street, Customs Circle, Abu Bakr Al-Siddeeq Street, and back to Naour Junction.

The third route connects Customs Junction to Madaba Junction via Amman-Madaba Street.

Direct service routes for the project will include connections between Naour Junction, Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), and Madaba.

Tahtamouni projected that by 2028, the daily passenger count across the three new routes is expected to reach 91,184.

- Amman-Salt corridor - 

In addition to the Amman-Zarqa expansion, the Ministry of Transport is also working on the third phase of the BRT project, which involves the Amman-Salt corridor. 

The ministry is currently developing the terms of reference for this phase's studies and designs, with current demand estimated at approximately 40,000 riders.