Forum brings public transport into focus

AMMAN — The Arab Renaissance Organisation for Democracy and Development (ARDD) Al Nahda Thought Forum on Monday held a panel discussion, hosting Amman Mayor Yousef Shawarbeh, as part of the organisation's regular meetings with experts and officials. 

The session titled “Amman: The City of Light… the city, the responsibility, and the future”, was held after Amman was given the “City of Light” title by the UNHCR for its efforts regarding refugees.

Moderated by ARDD’s Board of Trustees Chairman and the Director of the Strategic Studies Centre at the University of Jordan Zeid Eyadat, the discussion was attended by economic, cultural and political figures, as well as youth, civil society institutions representatives, and numerous international organisations, including the UNHCR. 

The attendees enriched the discussion that focused mainly on Amman's development through its various phases and aspects, its present and its future.

For his part, Shawarbeh highlighted the city’s development through four main fields: Public transport, automation, legislative development and enhanced investment, with the main focus of the session being on public transport. 

“No city will be able to develop if it lacks means of public transportation,” he said, noting that by December 2020 the Rapid Bus Transit project's infrastructure will be finalised, and the public transport system in Amman will be upgraded and modernised through an institutional transport company.

“We have not seen an assessment of public transport for more than 50 years, and we have not had a renewal plan for the public transportation system,” the mayor explained. 

The panel also tackled topics such as human rights issues, partnerships with the private sector and cooperation with NGOs, alongside proposed youth initiatives. 

He concluded the session with the note, "Jordan is doing well, and its future will be fine,” stressing the importance of strengthening the relationship between citizens and official institutions.