Tourism Breaking News
Leaders of transport in the MENA region discussed a host of vital topics relating to transport during the sessions of the 4th MENA Transport Congress 2022 held at the World Trade Centre, Dubai.
Among events that took place in the Congress was a session entitled (Transport Leaders in the MENA Region) moderated by His Excellency Khalid Al Hogail, President of UITP, CEO & MD of SAPTCO (KSA). His Excellency DR. Rumaih Al Rumaih, President, Transport General Authority (KSA), and His Excellency Dr. Yousef Al Shawarbeh, Mayor of Amman, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, took part in the discussions.
Al-Hogail kicked off the session by pointing out that the MENA region is witnessing vibrant activities and racing against time to undertake a portfolio of giant transportation projects costing more than US$100 billion. He added that those in charge of these projects had access to generous support from governments of the region.
Al-Rumaih started by thanking and greeting the organisers of the congress and paid tribute to the outstanding achievements made by Dubai highlighted by transport and infrastructure projects undertaken by RTA. He reviewed the transport sector of the region from inception up to the phenomenal growth currently in progress, thanks to the astonishing improvements associated with the use of high technology, which accelerated during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We, at SAPTCO, have set out a clear vision aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to guide us to the global destinations that had preceded us in this field. We have also charted out several plans targeting improved living standards, logistical services and services for pilgrims. We have also identified clear goals such as increasing the share of mass transit from 1% to 15% by 2030 and introduced important indicators to reduce the number of traffic fatalities per 100,000 km and cut the carbon footprint by 20%.
“We are counting on the use of advanced technology, considering the huge geographical area of the Kingdom, such that we will be able to track transportation activities in real-time. Al-Riyadh Metro network and some other transportation projects will be opened this year. Work is up-and-running to implement huge mass transit projects that connect about 200 cities across the Kingdom,” added Al-Hogail.
“Cities face many challenges in establishing a public transport network as transport is no longer just about transporting people from one place to another. We must care about the introduction of smart systems and keep abreast of the latest developments and technologies of the industry. We must look at public transport as general culture and seek to promote the sense of national belonging. The world now speaks City-To-City language in public transportation, and we, in Amman Municipality, have short, medium and long-term plans in this regard,” commented His Excellency DR. Yousef Al Shawarbeh.
“When we develop a strategy of any kind, we always make sure that it is compatible with the national goals and the global sustainability. We also attach paramount importance to the initial studies of any project. Amman Municipality has developed a ten-year plan, starting from this year, to undertake master plans and sound roadmaps to overhaul the public transport sector. Amman Municipality had completed the first track of the express bus route as part of a comprehensive plan to develop this sector,” explained Al Shawarbeh.
