New regulations to ban use of mini-buses for public transport

AMMAN — The Transport Ministry will issue new regulations to upgrade the public transport fleet by introducing buses capable of operating under difficult weather conditions, Minister Lina Shbeeb said Wednesday. 

The new regulations obligate operators to replace buses whose operational lifespan expires with new vehicles that should be of “high” and advanced safety standards to drive even during severe weather conditions. 

Mini-buses, commonly referred to as coaster buses, with a single door for passengers will no longer be allowed to operate as the regulations only allow two-door buses to be used, Shbeeb said, adding that the ministry is still working on identifying other specifications that public transport buses should meet in the near future. 

According to official figures, there are around 1,500 large buses in Jordan that accommodate 50 passengers, and around 4,500 coaster buses. 

The figures indicate that an estimated 16,000 taxis operate in the Kingdom, around 12,000 of which are in Amman. 

Shbeeb noted that the ministry is currently coordinating with the Greater Amman Municipality regarding the new regulations, which she said will be issued in the next few weeks. 

The minister also pointed out that the government is studying the possibility of amending the auto insurance system related to public transport buses, as most operators opt not to drive their buses during difficult weather conditions, particularly snowstorms.  

A study is under way to examine the option of raising the insurance compensation in order to encourage bus owners to operate during snowstorms to ensure there would be no halt in public transportation services, according to Shbeeb.