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Efficient and affordable transport represents one of the most important pillars of sustainable development and an effective tool to address the challenges of unemployment and poverty, and to improve the quality of life.
A World Bank report issued in 2022 estimated the cost of deficiencies in Jordan's transport system at approximately three billion dollars annually, or nearly 6% of the Gross Domestic Product at the time.
This is an indicator of the scale of potential gains from reform efforts, and the Kingdom has since witnessed intensive efforts and remarkable achievements to develop the transport sector and advance its various components.
Developing the transport sector requires adopting an integrated national strategy based on expanding modern public transport networks, connecting governorates to city centers, industrial zones, universities, and hospitals, alongside increasing the number of buses, improving trip regularity, and providing unified electronic payment systems and accurate information on arrival and departure times.
Priority should also be given to inter-governorate transport, without restricting investments to the capital, to enhance equity in the distribution of services and economic opportunities, and to reduce pressure on major cities. This requires a genuine partnership between the public and private sectors within regulatory frameworks that ensure service quality and financial sustainability.
The economic returns of transport development are evident in reducing household expenditures, cutting wasted travel time, raising worker productivity, improving companies' ability to attract employees, and addressing barriers preventing job seekers from accessing available opportunities.
Furthermore, providing safe, regular, and reasonably priced transport contributes to expanding the participation of women and youth in the labor market, allowing low-income families to access education, healthcare, and employment opportunities without burdensome financial loads, which supports poverty alleviation and enhances equal opportunities.
It is also essential to encourage the use of electric buses, improve road safety and pedestrian facilities, provide subsidized subscriptions for students and low-income workers, alongside measuring the performance of transport services with clear indicators that include cost, regularity, safety, and user satisfaction.
Therefore, reforming the transport sector should occupy a prominent position among the economic and social development priorities in Jordan.
Investing in transport is not just infrastructure spending, but rather an investment in both humanity and the economy alike. Every dinar efficiently deployed in developing this system can translate into broader job opportunities, greater disposable income for families, a more attractive environment for investment, and a fairer and more stable society.
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