RIYADH, 3 April 2008 — The Kingdom is to implement a set of policy guidelines according to people’s need of transportation, Minister of Transport Dr. Jabara Al-Seraisry said on Tuesday, while inaugurating a workshop on the Development of the National Transportation Strategy (NTS) Phase 111 Report and Policies.
“The draft copy of the policies and programs will be discussed at the workshop to finalize an integrated transport system which will be more beneficial to the people,” the minister said, pointing out that the draft has been formulated after careful study of people’s needs and discussions among experts in the transport sector.
He indicated that his ministry has drawn up an integrated strategy that seeks to reduce heavy reliance on motor vehicles as the principal means of transportation and promote the railroad and air transportation sectors as the other viable options.
The workshop, organized by the Ministry of Transport, was attended by senior government officials from the ministries of transport, Haj, interior, municipal and rural affairs, as well as the traffic control department and Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA).
Speaking on the occasion, Al-Seraisry said the NTS vision is to develop and maintain a multi nodal system, serving the needs of the society by ensuring a safe, efficient and technologically advanced transport system that promotes social and economic development and international competitiveness and ensures a healthy and secure environment for its citizens.
The minister stressed the importance of exerting greater efforts toward integrated planning, development and operation as well as streamlining the performance of the transport sector, which was expected to play a crucial role in promoting Haj and Umrah traffic, besides domestic tourism.
He said the organization of the workshop was in line with the recommendations of the Cabinet for formulating a national transportation strategy in cooperation with relevant agencies.
He pointed out that the workshop would map out a comprehensive strategy that would not only serve the interests of the society but also the national economy. Following the approval of the draft copy, it would be submitted to the Cabinet as a new tool for planning and as a means of opening up new investment channels.
Abdullah Al-Muqbil, deputy minister of transport, who chaired the first technical session of the workshop on “NTS policies and NTS Action Program,” said the national transportation strategy has been worked in cooperation with GTZ, the German agency.
A total of 36 scientific papers were presented during the workshop. Other topics that were taken up for discussion included, action program for public transport and Haj transport and action program for transport safety and environment.