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Mafraq university students want better transport services

By Suzanna Goussous - Apr 10,2016 - Last updated at Apr 10,2016

Al al Bayt University students wait for buses in Mafraq, some 80km northeast of Amman, recently (JT photo)

AMMAN — Students from Al al Bayt University on Sunday boycotted the services provided by Mafraq Governorate’s autobuses, demanding a “better” transportation system for students.

A third-year student who preferred to remain unnamed said the issue “has been going on for years”.

“This semester, around 3,000 new students joined the university, while around 500 have graduated, this means there are more people who need proper transportation,” he told The Jordan Times over the phone.

He complained of a shortage in buses that provide proper transport services for students.

Around 15,000 students use public transportation in Mafraq, some 80km northwest of Amman, he said, but only 18 buses are available to “serve them”.

“We do not have buses for the university… The buses we use are for the governorate, we have to wait for hours sometimes to leave university,” the student continued.

For the 4km distance from the Mafraq bus terminal to the university gate, buses charge around JD0.20, according to students, who claimed that the distance should cost around JD0.15.

The computer science student also stressed that each bus can carry only 25 passengers, but drivers “always take double the number”.

Students demand more buses, an organised time schedule for each bus, and an area for students to wait for the bus.

They also want the authorities to find appropriate solutions for a safer and more organised transport system.

Land Transport Regulatory Commission Director General Marwan Hmoud said the commission is working on a plan in cooperation with the university administration.

He added that the Amman-Zarqa-Mafraq buses were given certain daily schedules to transport university students during morning and evening hours.

 

“The commission will meet with university officials on Wednesday to find solutions to the problem and increase the number of buses that transport students,” he told The Jordan Times over the phone.

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