His Majesty King Abdullah chaired a meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace on Wednesday to follow-up on the government's plans to develop the public transport sector and implement the Jordan Economic Growth Plan.

During the meeting, attended by Prime Minister Hani Mulki, King Abdullah said transport is a key sector that cannot be neglected, as it affects the lives of all citizens and has a major impact on the economy.

His Majesty stressed the importance of developing the transport sector, noting that the decline in services has started to reflect negatively on citizens’ lives.

The King urged concerted efforts by the concerned ministries and departments to develop the transport sector, which has been witnessing concerning decline.

Priority should be given to the executive and legislative measures needed to reform the sector, His Majesty noted.

It is unacceptable for citizens to suffer while trying to get to work or home due to the absence of a decent public transport system, the King stressed, calling for modern laws in line with the latest technological developments in this field.

His Majesty said the increase in shipping and freight costs has become an obstacle facing the economy, especially in light of regional challenges, urging workable solutions coupled with timeframes to address this.

The King also called for implementing the measures listed in the Jordan Economic Growth Plan on enhancing the public transport sector, stressing that citizens want safe and efficient transport services.

For his part, Mulki said the transport sector is a top priority that requires tremendous efforts to develop, expressing the government’s commitment to implementing the Jordan Economic Growth Plan to develop this vital sector.

For his part, Transport Minister Hussein Al Souob gave a briefing on the sector’s regulatory environment and projects currently underway in line with the growth plan.

The challenges facing the sector, he said, include the individual private ownership of medium and small means of transport, weak infrastructure, and lack of financial support from the government.

Public Works Minister Sami Halaseh highlighted the ministry’s plans to implement the Desert Highway project and the Amman-Zarqa Bus Rapid Transit; while Yousef Shawarbeh, president of the Greater Amman Municipality’s committee, gave a briefing on plans to enhance public transport services and revamp main intersections in the capital.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh and Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan attended the meeting.