Residents of Jeddah have requested the government speed up work on the citys metro project in order to ease traffic congestion and improve overall connectivity
A recent survey showed that 96 per cent of residents in Jeddah use cars as a primary mode of transportation. Metro authorities want this project to encourage residents to make use of public transport.
The metro project, approved by the Council of Ministers, is expected to reduce the load on roads by nearly 80 per cent, stated authorities. The project is also meant to provide easy access for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims as well.
The US$9.3bn project will be executed in three phases, added metro authorities. The network of Jeddah metro will be 108km long with three lines ? orange line, blue line and green line.
The Orange line will be 67 km long connecting Mecca Road with Obhur and a branch line will run along Sari Street. The line will include 22 stations. The Blue line will connect King Abdulaziz International airport to the Old Airport Road. This line will be 27 km long and will include 17 stations. The Green line will include 7 stations and will run along Palestine Road for 17 km. At the end of Harmain, a branch line will connect it with old airport.
Apart from the train network, this project will also include a network of buses including 816 buses and 2,950 stops.
Muhammed Madani, director general of transport in Makkah province, said, ?The three-line metro project would be ready for passengers by 2018. The Jeddah Municipality is responsible for monitoring implementation of the metro project, while the Ministry of Transport would oversee it.?
