KUWAIT CITY, Jan 30: Various State agencies have been reviewing the ‘Kuwait Metro’ project over the past two decades and it has undergone many stages; including global consultation, feasibility studies, countless meetings, and the establishment of numerous committees; Municipal Council member Alia Al Farsi stated at the council’s Technical Committee meeting on Tuesday.

This is in response to the question of Deputy Chairman of the Council Khaled Al-Mutairi, about the project. Al-Farsi pointed out that she does not interpret the decision as a cancellation of the project, but a suspension until the issuance of a new law and mechanism to propose it without the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) system. Discussions also showed that the Public Authority for Roads and Transportation did not implement rapid transit system management or transportation management within its organizational structure. The authority previously stated that the country needs a central body to manage its transportation systems to achieve comprehensive planning and coordination.

The committee said that “development goals cannot be achieved if each of the involved party conducts separate studies and strategies for the transportation systems without collaboration and a comprehensive perspective. Discussions revealed that PART and the Municipality have their transportation strategies. This duplication is a waste of time, effort and public funds. Kuwait is a small country with the best planning, such as ring and radial roads. It is more appropriate to manage its transportation systems in a better way. The bus system needs to be restructured and developed at the drop-off and loading points and bus stops. The taxi system needs specific official drop-off and loading points.”

In conclusion, the committee stressed the need for a specialized central authority in the State. “This authority will utilize modern programs to analyze, develop and modify traffic light operations at intersections, which are crucial at this juncture. The metro is vital a mode of mass transportation in the country; considering its positive impact on the environment, sustainability, traffic safety and congestion. It is closely tied to the recovery of the country’s economy,” the committee added.

By Inaas Awadh
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff