My presentation at the Mediterranean Cities Economic Forum on Amman Transportation

1. Towards a Sustainable
Transport System in Amman
Ayman Smadi
Meda City Forum
Barcelona, Spain
Nov 21, 2012

2. Baseline Conditions
• High population growth rate
– About 3 million people
– Grow to 5 million in 2025
• Major commuter traffic
• Relatively low HH incomes
– Median is $7,600/year
– 15% Female participation in
workforce
• G t dependence on cars
Great d d
− 10% per year increase in vehicle
registration
− Limited public transport
− No mass transit system

3. Baseline Conditions
Number of Cars in Amman
• 5 million daily person-trips 2,000,000
2 000 000
– 34% by car
– Only 5% by buses 800,000
100 2010 2020
Public Transport Mode Share 90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

4. Low Public Transport Use!

5. Paradigm Shift – Action Plan
• Integrate urban public Impacts
• $1 5 Billion annual
$1.5
transport in A
t t i Amman with
ith cost of traffic
municipal functions congestion
• A
Assess problems and needs,
bl d d • $ Billi cost of
$1.4 Billion f
fuel for transport in
and develop strategies Amman
• I
Improve PT quality of service
li f i • $1 Billion
government
• Develop mass transit system subsidy to fuel
(metro/LRT, and BRT)
( / d ) prices
• Transport accounts
• Implement supporting for about 40% of
activities
i ii imported oil

6. Enhance Existing Services
• More and better buses
– Easy-entry
– AC
• Unified brand
• Smartcard
• Subsidize bus service
• Improve terminals
• Install bus shelters

7. Rapid Transit Choices*
Cost
Technology Capacity Complexity
(Million JD/km)
Bus 1,500-3,000
BRT 35
3.5 6,000-???
Tram 40-20 3,000-8.000
LRT 80-50
5 8,000-16.000
Metro 200-80 16.000-40,000
* Customized to Amman

8. Public Transport Backbone

9. Supporting Initiatives
• On-street parking management
• Taxi Call Center
• Energy saving street lighting
E i t t li hti
• Alternative fuels
– Feasibility and distribution
system requirements (CNG)
• Air quality plan
• Communication and marketing

10. Challenges/opportunities
• Institutional framework for urban
mobility
– Organization
g
– Adequate resources and processes
– How to influence national policy?
• Technical
– Insert new system in a built city
– Amman’s topography
– Link with land use
i k i hl d

11. Challenges/opportunities
• Economic
– Financing
– Affordability
– PPP risks?
• Political/social
– Continuityy
– Competing priorities
– Citizen participation

12. Case Study: Amman BRT
• Three routes (32km)
• Dedicated bus lanes
i
• New terminals (park-n-ride)
(p )
• Stations with off-board
p y
payment
• Pedestrian facilities
• Traveler information
system
• Electronic payment system

13. Case Study: Amman BRT
• Project timeline
– Began development in 2009
– Financing through AFD in 2010
– Construction began 2010
– Work halted right after
construction of first section
• Mainly outcry from car drivers
–G t i i
Government commission 2011
– Independent technical review
• T ffi i
Traffic impacts and cost
t d t
• Results due this month

14. Case Study: Amman BRT
• Lessons learned
– Seize opportunity
• Lifting fuel subsidy requires good
public transport
– Marketing and communication
• People must want it
– Implement QUICKLY
• 3 mayors in 1 year
• 4 PM’s in one year
– Partnerships provide valuable
p p
support

15. Thank You!