Public Transport System in Saudi Arabia - Literature review Example

Name: Course: Lecturer: Date: Public Transport System in Saudi Arabia Abstract Public transport is largely used worldwide. Many countries have embraced this sector to cater for their growing population. Being the cheapest mode of transport, implementing the same ensures easy mobility and equality for all people in a country. Public transport has been termed as the pillar for sustainable economic growth due to its contribution in economic matters. All other industries within a country largely rely on public transport sector for a part of their operation. The working class, the education sector, health services among others leans towards public transport in their endeavors. As such, if well balanced and maintained, the public transport sector is essential enabler of social, economic and general development of a country. This is because it allows the free flow of individuals, commodities and services. In this regard, public transport is vital to a nation, as it affects the lives of individual people in addition to the country as a whole. Introduction Public transport is a mode that is largely adopted worldwide. In every country in the globe has a good share of it residents that use the public transport as means of transport. Big or small every country accessibility and affordability of public transport is vital to the life of the nation. No country can function well without an efficient public transport system as an efficient public transport system is an important feature urban area in the modern world. With the crowding and congesting world, public transport is being embraced by governments to ferry commuters. The mode has been adopted worldwide attributing to a number of factors. Firstly, bearing in mind exact cost of mobility, public transport provides a cost-effective option. As such, the community is saved from use expensive private means. Secondly, it contributes to economic growth. This is because economic development largely relies on a reliable and cheaper mode of transport. In the regard, public transport enhances access to economic activities, education as well as job markets. Public transport reduces congestion in the urban areas due to use of smaller spaces and especially parking at designated areas or stations. Moreover, this mode of transport promotes social inclusion. The social contact with many and different people creates great awareness of others hence a cohesive society. Additionally, statistics have proven that travelling by a car is ten times more likely to cause an accident than when using a public means. Therefore, public transport is a better mobility preference (Mees & Dodson, p. 1). Thus, a well planned and maintained public transport acts as a pillar for the country’s economic development. On the other hand, poorly managed, planned or incomplete public transport system causes huge negative impacts such as economic stagnation, urban congestion, and so on (Global Mass Transit Report, p.1). Transport Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia is the largest country within the gulf expanse and occupies 80 percent of the land area of the Arabian Peninsula. The country`s population of 27 million people is increasing annually at an average rate of 2.8%. As the largest oil exporter in the world, the kingdom`s magnificent economy is oil based which has made the country attractive to both foreign investments and other business activities. However, regardless of the robust economy, public transport in the kingdom is still under developed to act as sustainable mobility mode. The current public transport infrastructure is inadequate to cater for rapidly increasing demand for transportation from the growing population (Global Mass Transit Report, p.1). The current public transport sector is divided into four parts namely; roads, ports, railways, and civil aviation. Each of these sectors has own characteristics, policies and regulations as well as institutional structure. In recent times, the country has built up a transport infrastructure consisting of combined road network, ports, and airport and railway networks connecting the entire country. The country is situated strategically at the east –west trade routes, and area with competitive advantage of religious pilgrimages. Therefore, the country`s realizes the need for a good public sector so as to well accommodate over two million pilgrims that come for Hajj every year. The transport sector in general has benefited from the country`s economic wealth in recent years. However, the public transport is still under developed owing to social, economic and regulatory factors (Global Mass Transit Report, p.1). These include; Public transport and the entire transport sector in general is allocated lower funds in comparison to other sectors such as education and health sectors. Inadequate policies and legislations that governs the services and amenities that could shift people from using private to public means of transport Few special infrastructures for bus priority through the traffic signals particularly in the areas largely populated with private cars The horizontal expansion of the country causes low population mass in some cities resulting to low revenue to plough back in the public transport sector. Residents develop income enables easy acquiring of private cars Low fuel prices enables and easies operation and use of private automobiles The social status linked to car ownership High need for privacy especially among female travellers who prefer using private means Low awareness of the benefits that comes with using public transport However, the increasing concern in regard to economic, land use, demographic, safety issues and environmental have presented the need for provision of comprehensive mobility mode. The government is working towards drawing polices that will enable revamping of public transport system. Several initiatives have been brought forth to upgrade the sectors infrastructure. Figure 1 below shows the key public transport initiatives from the government as of 2005. (http://www.globalmasstransit.net/archive.php?id=6463 ) S. No. Project Description 1 The Holy Shrines Train A railway line linking the shrines of Mecca in the south and Medina in the north 2 Al Haramain Rail project A 444-km high-speed inter-city rail network linking the cities of Medina and Mecca via King Abdullah Economic City, Rabigh, Jeddah and King Abdulaziz International Airport 3 Riyadh Light-Rail Transit (LRT) and bus feeder route network Integrated LRT and bus system 4 Mecca metro and bus feeder route network An 18.1-km metro line connecting Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat to Makah 5 Jeddah LRT and bus feeder route network A tramway and bus service 6 Al Medina LRT and bus feeder route network A 15-km tramway with six lines 7 North-South Railway line A railway line linking the cities of Riyadh, Sudair, Qassim and Hail 8 East-West Railway line A1,500-km railway link connecting Saudi Arabia's east and west coasts 9 The Gulf Cooperation Council rail project A 2,220-km railway network connecting Saudi Arabia with Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Oman Source: http://www.globalmasstransit.net/archive.php?id=6463 Problems of Global Public Transport Systems Globally, public transport has been associated with numerous problems. Firstly, the sector has experienced under developed infrastructures. In developing countries, many infrastructures such as road and rail networks are developed. Moreover, of those already in place are facing the overuse problem. This is because many will use the only available and efficient lines. In regard to rail transport, many countries around the globe have a poor rail network or still use the very old ones that are not very comfortable to ferry commuters. The increasing infrastructure cost has added to the problem (Trans Africa, p.126). Secondly, public sector has been faced by competition from private cars. However, in the 20th century statistics show that the country has moved from being a world class public transport systems and turning to car dependency nation. This has been associated with slowing investment in the sector due to increasing population and the rapid spread of cities. As such, researchers in the industry have suggested the development of further national strategy to call more people from cars to public transport (Mees & Dodson, p.1). Also, the public transport system derailed development is rendered by the dispute between it development and the land use schemes (Mees & Dodson, p.1). Moreover, the public sector has been associated with inadequacy. This has been experienced in almost every corner of the globe. This is due to growth in population worldwide. As such, many nations have failed to keep the pace with same. In addition, as the world-economy is changing and more and more incomes rises, people indulge in private car sector for their mobility. On the other hand, the public sector has been associated with many negative impacts. This sector is largely involved with crowdedness in almost every part of the world. The long commuting time causes accumulation of people in places such as stations especially during the rush hours. The public transport sector has also faced congestion from the decreased parking spaces. The congestion is also associated with accidents and fatalities due to delays (Trans Africa, p.127). Furthermore, public system is unhygienic rendering discomfort as commuters copes with flow in demand. Moreover, the sector has been linked to the highly debated climate change duty to it contribution to environmental destruction. This is due to pollution from emissions that have caused and impeded the quality of life and health of mankind. The emissions have also added to the highly concerning global warming. Noise pollution from the same add to the problems of the sector throws to environment. Additionally, massive use of public space and land lowers public activities. According to social researchers, congestion is impedes social interactions and street activities. Comparison and contrast between laws and policies of public transport system in Saudi Arabia and Australia In both Saudi Arabia and Australia, the public transport systems are well developed. Their governments have employed strategies through use of laws in regard to the sector. In Australia, the policies have been employed to encourage public transport use and making it a priority should one need to travel rather than use of private means. The policy in favor of this sector has lead to use of mechanisms that will deter the use of private vehicles. Methods such as hiked vehicle registration fees, high parking fees for private cars and high cost for fuel are applied to enhance use public means. The policies and laws are also largely advocating the redevelopment of infrastructure such that metropolitans and urban areas are connected with good road linkage and a world class rail network connecting the rural areas. As such, the public transport network ought to cover most of the cities and suburbs (Mees & Dodson,p. 5). The law also dictates and encourages the sharing of vehicles for transport. This means that for every vehicle on the road should at least have a minimum of two 2 passengers. Thus, for those travelling alone are encouraged to come and use public transport rather their private means. A policy on improving service quality by Public Transport Users Association (PTUA), 2011 in Australia aimed at eroding the notion that public transport is the last-resort. In this regard, the policy has advocated the strategies to reduce travel times and waiting times, quality customer service and ensuring competitive fares. Moreover, further policies in regard to funding public transport sector have been brought forth in a bid to subsidize the sectors operations (Public Transport Users Association, P.1). On the other hand, until recent past, Saudi Arabia policies encouraged private car means as part of it continued welfare check for it citizens. The public means of transport has been largely associated with unhygienic and discomforts. For that reason, use of private means of transport acted as part of the country`s enhancement of her populace welfare. As such, support towards the development of car usage is increasingly evident. Private vehicle use has been eased through the reduced fuels prices as well as minimal charges on the private vehicles. Additionally, the countries policies have favored the private sector in a bid to attract investment in the country`s transport sector. The government has therefore moved to put in to practicing commitment towards private sector barrier reduction (Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, p. 7). Analyses and evaluation the effectiveness of public transport laws and policies of Saudi government and Australia government The public transport laws and policies in both in Saudi Arabia and Australia have not attained the intended achievement yet. Analysis of both countries results indicate public transport use yet to be fully adopted by their residents. Using the case study of the two largest cities in both countries that have almost equal populations of about five million people; Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and Sydney in Australia public transport has slightly increased. According to statistics, the rate of public transport use in Australia is at eleven percent while in Saudi Arabia, the level is still below five percent. However, in the Australian sector is more favorable than Saudi Arabia sector. Recent analysis have shown that the working age between 31-60 years, families with children and households with better incomes still largely use private vehicles. Still, the policy that suggested the development and advancement of public transport sector has not been effective. In Sydney, rail transport which is the main public means of transport does not link well with other forms of transports. Survey on the same found that 47% of the passengers have to walk to the stations, 35% car to the stations by car while the rest of the 16% had to rely on other means. As such, people have still continued to use private cars for mobility. Additionally, a 2006 census proved that the overall use of public transport mode fell by 1.3%. Furthermore, the policies on improving service quality of the public transport sector have failed. The sector yet experiences inadequate funding, poor integration with other transport modes, limited new infrastructures, poor orbital and cross regional links. Thus, the policies have not been effective and hence the laxity of public transport uses (Mees & Dodson, p.7). According to Tourism and Transport Forum (p.1) Australia is still very dependent on private cars. By 2008 89 percent of tha overall travelled journies in the country were done so by private cars. This renders a disproportionate use of private-public vehicles. On the other hand, only less than ten percent of Saudi Arabians use the same. As such, public transport laws and policies in both in Saudi Arabia and Australia have not attained the intended achievement yet. Instead the public transport sector has deteriorated attributed to social and economic factors in addition to regulatory challenges faced the sector. These include; Failed polices and legislation that regulates services as well as facilities which has caused shifting from public to private modes. The policies put in place did not announce the benefits of using public means. Additionally, the policies failed to encourage all social classes to use public transport. Low funding of the sector deterring people from using them Policies encouraged low fuel prices making operation of private automobiles within people’s means Failure for polices to advocate for the incorporation of requirements of public transport use. These results imply that policies and laws in regard to public transport should work towards enhancing more accessibility to public vehicles. In addition, mechanisms that have a significant impact in minimizing private cars use should be as well employed. Though, the need for a more sustainable mode of transport, as well as an affordable one has exerted pressure on the government. Adoption and development of a public transport sector is essential to cater for both residents and others dwellers in the country is necessary (Global Mass Transit Report, p.1). Conclusion Conclusively, many countries in the world are debating over the tax reforms to iron out the issue of public transport. With adoption of public transport aimed to play an important role in curbing climate change by reducing the emissions from private vehicles there is a need to employ all possible strategies to raise demand for public transport. The sector significantly boosts economic productivity in the countries. Maintaining this demand through price signal will ensure reduce in congestion as well as increasing returns made through the sector. With the current economic, political and social environment boom, Saudi Arabia government out to go forward in upgrading the public transport system, to provide comprehensive mobility solution. Better policies and regulations should be employed, awareness about the public transport and increased subsidizes to the sector. Thus, the country will bring about the need change in the public transport segment in the country. References Global Mass Transit Report. Public transport in Saudi Arabia: Embracing comprehensive mobility. 2011. 23 11 2012 . Mees, Paul., & Dodson, J. Public Transport Network Planning in Australia: Assessing Current Practice in Australia`s Five Largest Cities. Brisbane: Griffith University, 2011. Public Transport Users Association. Policies: Funding Public Transport. Victoria: PTUA, 2011. Riyadh Chamber of Commerce. Saudi Arabia-- Regional and Global Transport Hub: A public Private Partneship Opportunity . Riyadh: Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, 2005. Tourism and Transport Forum. Tax Incentives for Sustainable Transport. Canberra: TTF, 2011. Trans Africa. Reports on Statistical Indicators of Public Transport Performance In Africa. uitp.org 2010. 22 11 2012 . Read More