SR 45 bn Jeddah transport system to redefine mobility

JEDDAH: A massive public transport system covering roads, railways and seaways will be implemented in Jeddah within seven years. The Cabinet yesterday approved the SR 45 billion project that will bring about a dramatic improvement in people’s mobility.
Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for sanctioning the project. “I would like to congratulate the people of Jeddah for this project that will contribute to its development and reduce traffic bottlenecks,” he said.
A high-level committee, chaired by Prince Khaled, will supervise implementation of the project, which includes tram systems, bus transport network, marine transport, a trolley transport system for the Corniche, a big public transport station and a suspended bridge in Obhur.
The Transport Ministry has completed 30 percent of the project’s designs, the governor said, adding that Jeddah Mayoralty would prepare the remaining designs. A company would be established to implement the project as quickly as possible.
There will be three tram systems. The 67-km Orange Line with 22 stations will start from Makkah Road, pass by the city center and end at Obhur. It will branch out to east via Sari Street.
The 24-km Blue Line with 17 stations will start from King Abdulaziz Airport and end at Haramain Railway Station. The 17-km Green Line with seven stations will start from the Corniche, pass by Palestine Street and Old Airport to reach Haramain Railway.
“There will be 208 carriages in the three tram systems,” said Jeddah Mayor Dr. Hani Aburas, adding that the project would cost SR 45 billion. The new road transport system will have 816 buses with 2,950 stations covering a total area of 750 km.
The marine transport system will have 10 stations.
The Cabinet had earlier approved similar projects for Riyadh and Makkah involving huge capital investments.
“This is great news for Jeddawis,” said Ahmed Al-Sheikah, a member of the National Industrial Committee. He called for expanding the railway system to the industrial city to facilitate transport of workers and products.
“We should also expand the marine transport system to connect Jeddah, Rabigh, Qunfuda, Al-Laith, Tuwal, and other coastal cities,” he told Arab News.