‘Authorities to float tender for Amman-Zarqa BRT in May’

AMMAN — Authorities are expected to float the tender for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project that will link Amman and Zarqa at the end of May, the Land Transport Regulatory Commission (LTRC) said Sunday.

In an interview with the Jordan News Agency, Petra, LTRC Director General Marwan Hmoud said the JD100 million project is being funded by the Gulf Cooperation Council grant through the Kuwaiti Development Fund, and is progressing according to plan. 

The project, he said, will be implemented over two stages. The first stage is concerned with infrastructure, the duration of its tender not exceeding 24 months. 

The second stage covers technical specifications of the buses that will be used, Hmoud added, noting that a tender will be floated to select the operator. 

The BRT project entails operating premium, high-capacity buses that can carry more than 120 passengers and will run on a three-minute frequency during peak hours on segregated lanes.

The official pointed out that commuters will be able to buy tickets from designated machines and the fare “will be similar” to other public transport fees between Amman and Zarqa.

Hmoud said the project aims to provide sustainable and effective mass transit services that will not affect current operators, noting that individuals pay 30 per cent of their income on transport fees.

The BRT project will entail the adoption of an integrated and flexible system to pay the fares, with the potential to subsidise rates for university students and other targeted segments. 

Fare collectors will undergo security checks and their identification papers will be visible to passengers.