Saudi Arabian transport minister and chairman of the Middle East and North African (Mena) division of the International Association of the Public Transport (UTIP) Dr Abdulaziz al-Ohaly has said that the public transport sector in the Mena division will record massive growth in coming years.
Speaking at the opening session of the UTIP Regional Congress at Grand Hyatt Hotel on Sunday, Al-Ohaly said the region is home to over 300mn inhabitants. It is heavily urbanised as more than 60% of its people live in cities.
“Large cities are suffering from traffic congestion and environment is becoming a serious issue. Naturally, it calls for strengthening the public transport systems and several projects are already in operation from Dubai to Algiers and from Damascus to Morocco,” he said.
The minister felt the active participation of a number of high quality manufacturing firms and suppliers in the exhibition is an indication of how attractive the public transport market in Mena region is.
Mena division’s activities include training, working groups, and workshops and several opportunities for networking between professionals.
Study tours have contributed considerably to improving public transport awareness, he felt.
Speaking later to Gulf Times, Director of Urban Transport sector of Saudi Public Transport Company (Saptco) Nasser H al-Saeed said the region’s public transport activities would record good growth on account of the continued arrival of workers from Asia and Africa.