Amman, Jordan – January 17, 2018 – Representatives of GGGI participated in a workshop hosted by the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) and the French Development Agency (AFD) in Amman on January 14-17. The workshop centered on two topics related to GAM’s Bus Rapid Transit mega-project: “Accessibility for All” and “Energy Efficiency”.

GGGI facilitated an energy efficiency session presented by Dr. James Kang, Principal Transport Specialist, and Dr. Jurg Grutter, GGGI consultant – bus technology expert.

Dr. Kang presented a case study about the public transport reform in the City of Seoul, where the implementation of a Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system was a key element. The impact of Seoul’s BRT on bus ridership, bus speed, air quality, accessibility, traffic safety, and citizen’s satisfaction with bus services were highlighted. He drew parallels between Seoul and Amman, and offered important insight for Amman’s BRT implementation team, headed by City Manager, H.E. Mr. Omar S. El-Louzi.

Dr. Grutter presented findings from a GGGI-commissioned study on alternative technology options for the Amman BRT bus fleet. The study, launched in November 2017, assesses the feasibility of a range of clean, climate-friendly bus options as alternatives to conventional engine buses. The study suggests that electric bus technology is both a technically and financially feasible option for the Amman BRT. Electric buses would help reduce air pollution, GHG emissions and noise associated with diesel buses.

GGGI will continue to work with GAM, AFD and other local and international partners and stakeholders to develop this study into a bankable project that can support Jordan’s goals of achieving 14% GHG emissions reductions by 2030, improving urban air quality, and catalyzing electric mobility to improve the country’s energy efficiency and reduce its dependence on oil imports.

Transport planning and mobility experts from the City of Paris also joined the workshop, discussing the concept of accessibility from multiple perspectives and providing technical feedback on the design of major BRT stations, including on how to make them more pedestrian friendly.

GAM estimates that the BRT project will be operational by mid-2020.

For more information about GGGI’s work on the BRT and other electric mobility projects in Jordan, please contact Ahmed Al Amra, Country Representative, Jordan Program at ahmed.amra@gggi.org.