Amman, June 9 (Petra) -- The government is moving ahead with plans to modernize its public transport system and improve services for citizens, with 100 electronic services set to be launched as part of a broader digital transformation of the land transport sector, Director General of the Land Transport Regulatory Commission (LTRC) Riyad Al-Kharabsheh said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the Government Communication Forum, organized by the Ministry of Government Communication and attended by the ministry’s Secretary-General, Zaid Nawaiseh, Al-Kharabsheh said all measures being pursued by the commission are aligned with the Economic Modernization Vision and are aimed at improving service quality and increasing public reliance on mass transit.

He said the LTRC is preparing to launch 100 electronic services, including 50 passenger transport services and 50 freight transport services, as part of efforts to digitize the land transport sector.

Al-Kharabsheh said the commission, in cooperation with its partners, has prepared several regulations currently under review by the relevant authorities with the aim of improving services through the development of a safe and comfortable public transport system.

Reviewing the current state of the sector, he said Jordan’s passenger and freight transport fleet totals around 100,000 vehicles.

On freight transport indicators, he said the Kingdom has 31,975 trucks, of which 74% are individually owned and 26% belong to companies. Tractor units account for 60.7% of the fleet, while cargo vehicles make up 39.3%.

Public transport indicators include 990 service taxis, 5,202 public transport vehicles, 683 large buses, 90 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses, and 3,529 medium-sized buses. Jordan’s public transport network comprises 1,950 routes, including 1,378 local routes and 572 main routes.

Company-operated buses and scheduled transport services account for 15% of the public transport fleet, while 27 school transport operators manage a fleet of 2,413 vehicles.

Al-Kharabsheh said five ride-hailing companies currently operate in Jordan, employing around 15,000 drivers. Two additional companies have completed licensing requirements and are expected to receive operating licenses soon.

He stressed that electronic integration of the sector will be implemented to enhance compliance with licensing requirements and ensure regulated operations, noting that licensing, regulation and permitting remain key demands of both citizens and transport operators.

Al-Kharabsheh said providing citizens with high-quality public transport services is a priority for the commission and that customer satisfaction remains central to efforts to improve the sector.

He added that the commission is working to generate additional employment opportunities and contribute to the goals of the Economic Modernization Vision, describing transport as a major job-creating sector.

The commission is also working to improve both operational and regulatory frameworks, he said, noting that eight draft regulations and instructions related to the railway project are currently being reviewed by the Legislation and Opinion Bureau. These measures are intended to lay the groundwork for a new phase in the transport sector.

Additional draft regulations address passenger transport services, smart mobility services, the Passenger Support Fund, vehicle rental services, yellow taxi offices, electronic ticketing systems and regulations governing transport services between Jordan and other countries.

Regarding the Passenger Support Fund, Al-Kharabsheh said it would institutionalize support mechanisms for public transport users. He added that smart transport applications have delivered significant results in organizing the sector and placing ride-hailing services on a more structured footing.

He noted that yellow taxi operators will be able to establish their own applications through their union or licensed offices and highlighted incentives and exemptions introduced to support the initiative.

On freight transport modernization, Al-Kharabsheh stressed the importance of digitizing the freight fleet to facilitate access to regional markets. He said improving the sector requires opening external markets, which in turn depends on fleet modernization and digital transformation.

Only about 6,000 Jordanian trucks were able to access foreign markets last year, he said, adding that expanding international market access would generate significant economic benefits and justify investment in fleet modernization. He expressed confidence that positive results would emerge by the first half of 2027.

As part of future development plans, Al-Kharabsheh said a new transport terminal in Zarqa, adjacent to the BRT station, will be completed soon. All public transport modes serving the city will be relocated to the new complex to facilitate passenger movement and integrate services with the BRT network.

He said a similar project is planned in Salt and noted that the commission is working to complete these projects as quickly as possible.

Al-Kharabsheh also outlined a new initiative aimed at giving public transport buses priority at traffic signals. Under the project, titled "Development Coupled with Public Transport Priority," traffic lights at congested intersections would be redesigned to provide priority passage for buses.

He said the BRT route linking Amman and Al-Balqa Applied University, implemented in cooperation with the World Bank and the Greater Amman Municipality, has achieved positive results among passengers.
The commission is also considering additional BRT routes connecting Madaba and Amman and Salt and Amman, as well as surrounding areas such as Sahab, Naour and Russeifa.

Al-Kharabsheh said the commission plans to issue weekly operating tenders for underserved or unserved areas, with fares set at 500 fils.

He also highlighted the importance of fleet age in relation to the broader economy and emphasized the role of natural gas in reducing operating costs within the transport system.

Government transport projects, he said, are helping establish regular and reliable services between Amman and the governorates through fixed schedules and frequencies. They also include the use of smart systems for electronic fare collection, reducing cash transactions, and installing electronic tracking systems to ensure operators adhere to schedules and service frequencies.

These efforts are part of an integrated operational plan that includes publishing route schedules and identifying departure and arrival points.

Al-Kharabsheh said the commission is addressing key challenges facing public transport, including irregular services, the absence of fixed schedules, unauthorized private transport operations, traffic congestion and public confidence in the reliability of mass transit.

For his part, Nawaiseh opened the forum by extending congratulations on the anniversary of King Abdullah II’s accession to the throne, the Great Arab Revolt, and Arab Army Day.

He said the LTRC continues to make sustained efforts to develop Jordan’s public transport network and improve passenger services across the Kingdom.

Nawaiseh noted that the commission is implementing a package of smart transport systems and expanding digital services to improve efficiency, adding that travel between governorates has become easier as a result of ongoing modernization efforts.

He also said the commission is working to encourage investment in the land transport sector in line with economic and social development goals and to create a more effective and sustainable operating environment.

//Petra// AF

09/06/2026 20:35:33