Geostrategic Media Political Commentary, Analysis, Security, Defense
Eng. Salee Al Batayneh
Can you imagine that after a century of the Jordanian state’s existence, we still lack a modern, efficient railway network connecting our cities or even a metro system within the capital and major urban centers? Public transportation, an issue that affects every segment of our society, has become an insurmountable problem—one that remains mismanaged, dragging our nation backwards. And the reason? The revenues from the fuel tax are too tempting for those who benefit from the status quo.
It is profoundly disheartening to witness the state of public transportation in Jordan after more than 100 years. Worse still, it is shameful that our attention is consumed by chaotic street wars and suffocating traffic jams. These daily gridlocks are the direct result of thousands of cars clogging our roads like sardine cans, with no viable alternatives in place. The absence of adequate parking spaces, pedestrian lanes hijacked by shops and vendors, and sidewalks overtaken by fruit stalls, clothing stores, and car dealerships further strangle our cities.
The chaos on our streets must end. This isn’t just a mild inconvenience—it’s a tragedy Jordanians endure on a daily basis. Within our cities, distance is no longer measured by kilometers but by time and fuel. Short trips that once took minutes now stretch to 40 minutes or more, draining not just fuel, but also time, patience, and mental health.
The absence of a functioning public transportation system has broader implications. It excludes many from economic participation, particularly women, who are disproportionately affected by the high cost and inefficiency of transportation. This exclusion has fueled the rise in private vehicle ownership, worsening traffic congestion, increasing fuel consumption, and exacerbating traffic accidents and environmental pollution.
In June 2022, the World Bank released a study titled “Diagnostic Study and Recommendations for Public Transportation in Jordan,” and the findings were staggering. The study estimates that Jordan loses approximately 6.9% of its gross domestic product annually—around $3 billion—due to its dysfunctional public transportation system. Here’s the breakdown:
- $2 billion in wasted fuel
- $420 million in environmental degradation
- $400 million in traffic accidents, injuries, and deaths
Jordanian families are spending an astonishing 17% of their income on transportation due to the lack of safe, comfortable alternatives. Commuters endure long, expensive trips, with the average round trip estimated at two and a half hours. Meanwhile, the number of vehicles on our roads is doubling at an alarming rate, with car ownership among the highest in the world, increasing fuel demand by nearly 5% annually.
Even more troubling, this crumbling transportation system meets only 15% of the population’s needs.
What would a railway system connecting Jordan’s cities mean? Or a metro within our major cities? It would mean a dramatic reduction in private car usage—more than 40% of cars could be off the road. Over 400,000 citizens would be able to rely on public transport, drastically cutting fuel consumption and reducing our carbon footprint. The economic benefits would be vast: moving goods would become cheaper and more efficient, unemployment would decrease as people could travel more easily for work, and an entire market of services would emerge around these new transport hubs.
Imagine the transformative impact: lower transportation costs, reduced unemployment, and a cleaner, less congested environment.
But before we can even talk about developing public transportation, we must first address the elephant in the room: the energy sector. Transportation costs are heavily linked to energy prices, and reform in this sector is vital. I am reminded of a statement made by former Minister of Energy, Hala Zawati, who five years ago claimed that Jordan had a surplus in energy capacity. If that’s the case, why aren’t we leveraging this surplus to develop a modern transportation system? Why not invite international investments to build railways and metros, as is done in most developed nations?
What is next? Or, more aptly, is there even a next? Will we continue to let this nation crumble under the weight of missed opportunities and Machiavellian policies? The time has come for real action. Our lives have been wasted in the limbo of bureaucracy, and our patience has long worn thin.
The time for studies, reports, and discussions is over. Enough is enough. We must move forward, or else risk remaining stuck in a loop of perpetual underdevelopment. Jordan deserves better than this. We all do.
Al Batayneh was a member of the Jordanian Parliament.
