Plans are underway to set up an international transport center at Jeddah's Old Airport to operate bus services to a
number of Middle Eastern, North African and East European states.
The land transportation committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry is working on the project, which involves a total capital investment of more than SR2 billion. "Some 2,000 buses will be put into service under the project," Ali Hassan Nagoor, chairman of the committee, told Arab News.
The new transport center is aimed at serving over 400,000 passengers per year. "In the initial stage, buses will be operated to Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman and Yemen. Later on, it will be expanded to cover Iran as well as East European and North African countries," Nagoor was quoted as saying.
The Jeddah Municipality has proposed a number of sites to establish the center including the old airport area in Sharafiya.
The project will include establishment of air-conditioned resting rooms, restaurants, supermarkets, gift shops, Internet cafes and sports facilities.
Nagoor estimated that the construction alone will cost more than SR40 million and said that a joint-stock company will be established to raise capital for this project.
There are more than 50 transport companies, besides the Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO), operating international services from Jeddah. "Many of these companies will benefit from the project as they lack the necessary services that attract passengers," Nagoor noted. (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
