Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) will be inviting bids for the second phase of its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project next month.

The second phase will include Princess Basma Street, the area from University of Jordan’s Mosque and the University’s Hospital which will be lower than the main street, by at least 3 m underground with 3 BRT lanes and stations connected to the University’s Street pedestrian tunnel.

The 32-km long BRT project is being implemented on three main routes in Amman; the first from Sweileh Circle to Al-Mahatta via the University of Jordan, Sports City, Al-Shahid and Al-Istiqlal streets; the second will link Ras El-Ein with Sports City via Princess Basma street and the Fifth Circle, while the third will operate between Al-Mahatta and Customs Square via Al-Yarmouk street and Middle East square.

BRT capacity is up to 10000 passengers per hour; the dual buses can carry more than 120 passengers running on less than 3 minutes frequency.

The project’s infrastructure is set to be finished in around 1-1.5 year, including 32 km on the routes BRT will be passing through.

The BRT project aims at developing public transportation matrix in Amman in order to encourage residents to use public transportation means rather than private cars, as the number of the latter is soaring; around 75000-80000 additional cars are being licensed annually.

The speed of the rapid buses ranges between 35 to 50 km per hour; they will use specific lanes with well studied frequencies allowing a high capacity of 120- 180 passengers each and only stopping in specified places.-TradeArabia News Service