The Ministry of Transportation has started a 15-month feasibility study for an inter-city train network for Jeddah, said Abdulaziz Al-Awhali, the Deputy Minister of Transportation. The first part of the study, focusing on the best possible train route inside the city, has been completed. Al-Awhali was speaking following his meeting on Tuesday with Jeddah Mayor Adel Fakeih, which was held to discuss the new train project. The plan is to enhance public transportation in a city that depends entirely on private vehicles, taxis, and a poor bus service. The planned first route is 108 km long with three main stations, starting from the Old Makkah Road in the southeast to Sari Street in the northwest through Al-Balad area. The second route is designed to be extended along Prince Majed Street starting at the airport to Al-Jameah (University) District through the Old Airport Area. Both the first and second routes are part of the proposed first stage of the project. The third route, part of the second stage, will extend along Palestine Street, King Abdul Aziz Road, and the Corniche. The first two routes are expected to attract a large number of passengers, the deputy minister said. If carefully executed, the project is expected to cover 17 percent of daily city public transportation, said Hosni Kalakitawi, director of transport planning at the Jeddah Mayoralty. The project needs to be carefully planned to avoid clashes with the city's new projects and its proximity to main streets, and to account for future expansion of the city train network, he added.
