I love public transportation, I believe in public transportation, and year after year, I am proven right! Take this Haj, for example. Most guests of Allah were moving from one point to another by trains (around 2 millions) and coaches. Smaller buses, vans and cars were forbidden in Arafat, Muzdalifa and Mina. As a result, the masses either walked on well-paved, let and served pedestrian lanes, or used pre-booked trains and coaches via their group organizers. In Makkah, thousands of frequent, round-the-clock buses provided affordable and hop-on hop-off means of moving to and from the Holy Mosque. This means less crowded , stressful and polluted space. As a result, we have more peaceful and spiritual time dedicated to prayers, meditation and Haj ceremonies. Next year, the railway between Makkah and Madinah, via Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City, will be operational. The ultra-fast train should take Hajis from Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport to Makkah in 15 minutes and to Madinah (360 km away) in an hour. Once arrived, trams, buses and pedestrian lanes will bring them to the central areas, around the Holy Mosques, in both towns. Private cars and taxis are available too, but not encouraged. Near future plans, include metros and other sorts of public transportation in large metropolitans. New projects are either half-way to completion or past design phase, in Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and Riyadh. The Jeddah project includes cable cars, monorail and sea taxis. All cities will have sophisticated bus and taxi systems, augmenting and providing alternatives to rail networks. In addition, our 27 airports are being upgraded. Budget airlines are providing cheaper, safer and faster alternative to car travel. Newer carriers are giving travelers more routes, choices and frequencies. These are far-sighted plans for a greener future, less dependence on oil, carbon energy and safer mass movement. In Saudi Vision 2030, we are moving away from petrol as the main source of energy and income. Third of our daily oil production is being consumed internally. If we don't cap and reduce it, we may face a time when we don't export enough to cover our budget. Our road and highway networks, in and between cities, are world class. However, they cost much more than rail to build and maintain, wile carrying less passengers and cargo. No matter how much we spend in expanding and widening, they soon get overwhelmed with traffic. Air and noise pollution is rising every year. With millions of cars in every street and corner, city and town, our health and nerves are constantly threatened and upset. Cars, while more flexible and available, especially for families, are also costlier to buy, maintain and operate. Even with the lowest priced, most subsidized gas in the world, car expenses are eating up a high percentage of our household income. Worse, they are the most unsafe mode to move people. All public awareness campaigns, rules and regulations, encouragement and punishments could not reduce accident rates to a tolerable, or even understandable level. We are still atop the list of earth worst percentages of death and injury resulting from car accidents, especially among our youth. We are the second among Arab countries, after Libya, and the 23th in the world. Last year, we lost 7,661 lives. That's 27.4 death for every 100,000 inhabitants. Changes to a life style do not come easily. To move people from their private cars to shared spaces would need lots of persuasion. Cost and comfort, speed and availability, reality and perception must all come to play. We should provide restricted areas for pedestrians, bicycles and trams. We may also exact taxes on cars with larger engines, and fees on street parking. Highways with alternative slower roads can be metered. And no more subsidized energy. I'm writing to you from Vienna, Austria, one of the world best public transit providers. It is well connected to Europe and international destinations by air, rail and coaches. Intercity networks add tram, underground and above ground metro, besides buses. People are encouraged to walk in pedestrian-only boulevards lined with trees, shops and restaurants. Public seating, restrooms, car, taxi and bicycle parking areas are provided along the way. Bikes and scooters have special lanes with rent stations. Most means of transport are electric, including cars, so pollution and petroleum consumption are minimum. Extra saving is achieved by using solar, wind and other clean renewable energy generators. But we don't need to look as far as Europe for inspiration. Thankfully, a fellow Gulf state, the United Arab Emirates, has proven the viability of public transport. Dubai metro, bus and land/sea taxi system provide a success story to learn from. Qatar has built a great bus and taxi system, too. It is fast building a rail network. Hopefully, we won't be long behind. Our future depends on it. Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him at Twitter:@kbatarfi
