A train of thought

One of the pleasures I discovered while living in Europe is that of travelling by train. Trains are wonderful. They take you from town centre to town centre, relieving you of the long journey to the airport, the three-hour wait before takeoff, and the other long journey from the destination airport to town. You keep your luggage with you, and you travel in much more comfort than in an airplane, car, or bus. If you cross a national border, immigration officers come on board to check and stamp your passport without you leaving your seat.

I am sad, therefore, because the Middle East has no trains. Jordan has a good road network and three international airports, but only a tiny stretch of thin-gauge railway left by the Ottomans. This is surprising given how much this country would gain from investing in the railway.

The benefits would be enormous: the project would attract investment not only in the railway, but also in supporting infrastructure and ancillary services, creating thousands of jobs. The railway would also enhance domestic and regional tourism, a mainstay of the economy.

And functionally, consider the thousands of Jordanians who commute every day from the provinces to their work in Amman. If they had regular trains that run on time, this would relieve them of the cost of owning a motorcar, it would save the numerous accidents that happen on the foggy and slippery roads in the early morning of winter months, and it would relieve much of the traffic jams in Amman.

And given Jordan’s strategic location, an international railway network would plant Jordan firmly as a global hub for transportation, one of the fastest-growing economic sectors in the world. During the Hajj season alone, about 2 million Muslims from 168 different nationalities travel to Mecca every year to perform the pilgrimage. About 1 million travel by land, mainly by bus, and many pass through Jordan. This number would double if one considers those who travel to perform the umrah (minor pilgrimage) each year.

So, a railway line connecting East Asia, with Mecca, going through Jordan would be guaranteed about two million passengers every year, without counting tourists and freight.

Then there is the benefit to the environment. According to the International Energy Agency, road users account for about 71 per cent of transport CO2 emissions, with railway companies making up less than 1.8 per cent.

Not surprisingly, many international investors came to Jordan with plans in hand, money in pocket and virtually the shovels in the boot of their car, ready to start building; regretfully, they were all chased away. This is the opposite of what the government should do. 

At a time of deep economic recession, governments normally launch infrastructure projects to stimulate growth and economic activity. If Jordan undertakes a wealth-generating railway project, it would secure its economic future for generations.

I have no vested interest in any railway company; but any casual observer can follow the train of thought and see the light at the end of the tunnel.

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