A major revamp of Bahrain's transport services will take place later this year after a feasibility study contract is awarded, said a senior government official.

Work to award the tenders for a BD3 billion ($7.95 billion) public transport network in Bahrain would begin shortly after a feasibility study is completed next year, added Works Ministry roads planning and design director Huda Fakhroo.

Our sister newspaper the Gulf Daily News earlier reported that the public transport network, including Light Rail Transport (LRT), a monorail, trams and a Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system, would be completed by 2030.

Fakhroo, speaking on the sidelines of a signing ceremony to set up bus shelters, said in the short term the government was also considering a major upgrade of the national bus network to make it more attractive to passengers.

'We are seriously considering many measures to make public transport more attractive for commuters who should not be using their own vehicles very frequently,' she said.

'Dedicated bus lanes, buses fitted with transponders and other measures are being looked into.'

She said that setting up modern bus shelters was part of plans to improve the public transportation network. – TradeArabia News Service