LIGHT RAIL PLAN TO CHUG ON SOON

A feasibility study for a light rail network will be conducted by the latter half of this year, according to Maryam Jam’an, Undersecretary of Land Transport, Ministry of Transport. “More roads are also planned to the northern part of the kingdom,” she said.

Speaking at the MEED Bahrain Infrastructure and Finance Forum 2015 held under the patronage of Minister of Finance Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, she said: “Light rail system is envisioned to add to the current upgradation of public transport system and benefit from the upcoming GCC rail project.”

She added: “GCC rail and the causeway are part of one project. The King Hamad Causeway may have both rail and road traffic depending on the feasibility study that is currently underway.”

Bahrain is working closely with all GCC member states regarding GCC rail project. Transport Ministry is also involved in infrastructure upgrade and will add 500 buses to the existing 400 buses in services. Revamp also includes more bus shelters and other support programmes.

Maryam Jam’an welcomed private sector to invest in transport infrastructure and allied services. “Private sector can contribute in various projects including consultancy, turnkey solutions, infrastructure construction and local capacity building,” she said and added that public-private partnership was also considered as an option for various projects.

According to her, many private firms have shown keen interest in the projects of the Ministry.

Enhancing the Kingdom’s international connectivity is another key focus area of the Ministry, and hence more connectivity to the airport might be considered in coming years.

Regarding Qatar –Bahrain causeway, she said that Ministry of Transport had not yet been involved in the project.