Amman, Feb. 16 (Petra) -- Salah Louzi, Chairperson of the Comprehensive Multiple Transportation Company, a holding company and an operator, said Monday that Jordan’s public transport sector is undergoing an unprecedented structural transformation, driven by a clear government mandate under the Economic Modernization Vision through 2029.

Speaking at a press conference, Louzi said the company serves as the state’s executive and investment arm in the public transport sector. He detailed that, as a public shareholding company, 73.8 percent of its shares are owned by the Ministry of Finance through the Government Investments Department, 10 percent by the Greater Amman Municipality, and 17 percent by individual and corporate shareholders, reflecting a public-private partnership model.

He said the company manages an integrated operational network comprising 73 routes across the capital under direct agreements with the Greater Amman Municipality, in addition to services beyond municipal boundaries through contracts with the Land Transport Regulatory Commission. The company also operates the Amman Bus system and contributes to the management and operation of the Bus Rapid Transit system.

Louzi said the company transported approximately 43 million passengers in 2025, averaging around 177,000 passengers per day. The Bus Rapid Transit system alone recorded between 120,000 and 130,000 daily passengers, reflecting a marked shift toward public transport utilization.

He attributed this progress to the government’s decision to restructure the sector pursuant to Law No. 19 of 2017, which facilitated the transition from a predominantly individual ownership model, previously accounting for more than 84 percent of public transport vehicles, to a regulated route management company framework. He said the model safeguards owners’ rights while institutionalizing operations through fixed timetables and electronic monitoring systems.

Louzi said the reform process was undertaken in coordination with the Prime Ministry, the Land Transport Regulatory Commission and other relevant entities, following comprehensive operational, financial and technical assessments. He noted that the first phase, linking Irbid, Jerash, Salt and Karak to the capital, achieved tangible results. The second phase, covering seven additional governorates, will commence shortly, to be followed by a third phase connecting districts directly without routing through Amman.

He added that the integrated electronic system now provides real-time data on ridership volumes, compliance rates and demand indicators, enabling evidence-based decision-making. "Decisions today are grounded in verified data, not estimates," he said.

On service quality, Louzi said customer satisfaction exceeded 90 percent, according to internal performance indicators and periodic surveys, highlighting the implementation of a "mystery shopper" mechanism to assess on-ground service delivery.

He said the company processes complaints received through official channels and converts feedback into operational and training improvements. The system incorporates electronic fare payment, GPS-based fleet tracking, onboard surveillance cameras and a central control room overseeing schedule adherence, speed compliance and passenger conduct. These measures, he said, have enhanced operational discipline and improved the commuting environment, particularly for women and students.

Louzi announced plans to replace the company’s fleet of 187 buses with fully modern units by 2027, equipped with accessibility features for persons with disabilities. The plan also includes upgrading maintenance and washing facilities, modernizing enterprise resource planning systems, strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure and deploying intelligent transportation systems.

He said the company currently employs 1,200 staff members operating around the clock and aims to create 500 additional jobs by 2027. Training programs are also being launched to qualify Class 5 drivers for Class 6 licensing, addressing labor market shortages and enhancing national workforce capacity.

As part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives, Louzi said the company provided more than 1.2 million free rides to citizens aged 65 and above in 2025 and is working to expand discounted fares for low-income groups.

He said the overarching objective is to establish a safe, regulated and affordable public transport system aligned with citizens’ needs, adding that future phases will focus on expanding inter-governorate connectivity and elevating operational standards.

//Petra// AJ

16/02/2026 14:14:35