Transport ministry 'on road to counter economic strain on sector'

AMMAN — The strenuous economic conditions in Jordan caused by sudden population growth, due to the forced migration of citizens from neighbouring countries over the past two decades, have hindered the implementation of vital projects within the transport sector, Minister of Transport Khalid Saif said on Wednesday. 

During the inauguration of a workshop on the environmental impact of the transport sector at the ministry’s headquarters, Saif said these factors have thwarted the growth of the sector, leading citizens to eschew public transport services and travel in their own vehicles, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The minister added that that the number of private vehicles in the Kingdom has reached 1.5 million, 1.2 million of which are based in Amman. 

The ministry of transport has taken measures and established projects to rectify the situation, including the Bus Rapid Transport, which is expected to “change the nature of public transport in the Kingdom through the utilisation of smart tools such as pre-booking, electronic payment and ensuring accurate departure and arrival times”, Saif underlined. 

Over the past few years, the government has encouraged electrical transport by offering tax and customs exemptions on electric cars, he said.

On Monday, the government reduced taxes on electric cars from 25 per cent to 10 per cent for vehicles with a 250 kilowatt engine capacity. Taxes on electric cars with an engine capacity of 251 kilowatts or more were reduced from 25 per cent to 15 per cent.

The transport sector’s current status requires a “broader understanding” of sustainable transport by decision makers and experts to better grasp its positive overall and economic impact, the minister noted.