‘Amman Bus’ project slated for June 30 — mayor

AMMAN — The first phase of the “Amman Bus” project will launch on June 30, Amman Mayor and Chairman of the Amman Vision Investment and Development's Board of Directors Yousef Shawarbeh said on Saturday.

The first phase includes a fleet of 135 buses covering 55 destinations through 23 routes at the cost JD18 million, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

During a press conference held at the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) on Saturday, Shawarbeh said the buses will allow people to pay fares through e-cards that can be obtained at various points of sale and easily recharged. 

The first phase of the project covers 11 out of 22 areas affiliated with the GAM, including Dahyet Al Madina, Abdali, Basman, Tareq, Abu Nuseir, Shafa Badran, Sweileh, Jubeiha, Tla Al Ali, Al Naser and Marka, Petra reported, adding that 52 of the buses will be able to accommodate 59 passengers while the remaining 83 buses can fit 42 passengers.

Expansion plans include 150 more buses and 34 new routes. 

The buses will operate 16 hours a day starting from 6am and running until 10pm, according to Petra, which noted that stops include the main stations in the capital.

In order to encourage citizens to use the service during its first month, the e-cards will be sold at JD2 each, and each trip will only cost 1 piaster, according to Petra.

For his part, Chief Executive Officer at Amman Vision Investment and Development Hamza Haj Hasan said the new bus stops will eventually have screens that display schedules and routes. There is also an app planned so people can view trips and schedules on their phones. 

He added that the bus stops are designed to accommodate people with disabilities, and will have benches, garbage cans and lighting. 

Work is under way to build 220 bus stops by the end of 2020, Haj Hasan said, noting that a operation contract was signed by Turkey’s Gursel and Jordan’s Comprehensive Leasing Company. 

The main charging stations for the e-cards will be located at the Mahatta complex, the Shamal bus complex, the University of Jordan, Sweileh Circle and the World Islamic Science & Education University, with other locations planned for later. 

On the sidelines of the press conference, Amman Mayor Shawarbeh accompanied the media on a tour of the buses to show off the fleet’s features, specifications and preparedness.