GAM, Chinese company studying feasibility of metro system in Amman

AMMAN — A study is under way to determine whether establishing an underground railway system in Amman is possible and feasible, according to a municipal official.

The proposal to establish a metro transit system in Amman seeks to ease off traffic congestion in the capital by providing commuters with transportation alternatives to using their vehicles, the official at the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) said on Thursday.

“The proposed project should cover all of Amman’s districts… However, it remains only an idea until proven possible and feasible,” the official told The Jordan Times.

To this end, GAM and CROIBC/CREC, a Chinese railway engineering company, signed on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding to carry out a study on the feasibility of establishing a metro system  in the capital.

“The Chinese company will look into the topography of Amman, its population and several other elements that determine whether such a project can be done or not,” the official, who preferred anonymity, said.

The company will present the results of the study in two years, according to the official.

“If proven feasible, GAM will not cover the cost of implementing the project, which will be executed by a private company after floating a tender,” the official added.

In addition, if the metro project was found feasible, it will be implemented in parallel with the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), the official said, noting that GAM is keen on addressing traffic congestion across the streets of the capital.

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

The project is expected to cover almost 25km of the capital’s crowded streets.