From offering cheap loans for replacing old taxis to launching new subway lines and introducing eco-friendly modes of transportation, municipalities throughout Iran are implementing measures for curbing air pollution and easing daily commute for citizens.
Projects implemented in Tehran and Mashhad, for instance, have been at the forefront of upgrading urban transportation.
As per a deal signed by the mayor of Mashhad in Khorasan Razavi Province and Bank Melli Iran, 100 billion rials ($847,000) will be loaned to overhaul the city's aging taxi fleet, the municipality reported on its website.
The agreement was signed by Mohammad Reza Kalaei, the mayor of Mashhad, and Hassan Mounesan, an authority with the bank, which entails offering cheap loans to taxi owners, encouraging them to phase out their clunkers and buy new cars.
Initially, each of the loans worth 500 million rials ($4,200) is to be paid to 2,000 applicants with an 18% interest rate. Later, the municipality pitched in and the interest rate was reduced to 4%. The loans are to be repaid in five-year installments.
Reportedly, the dilapidated taxis will be replaced with Iran Khodro’s Samand and Peugeot 405. The two models are respectively sold at a factory price of 450 and 650 million rials ($3,800 and $5,500).
Ahmad Mohebbi, CEO of Mashhad Taxi Organization, said the average age of taxis in the metropolis reaches 8 years.
"At present, 13,000 passenger taxis are operating in the transportation network of Mashhad, 4,500 of which are dilapidated," he said.
Although the renewal scheme covers fewer than half of the smog-inducing cabs, the move can be considered a good start, as it can help upgrade the public transportation network in Mashhad.
Earlier Measures
The move to renew the city's public transport facilities does not end here. Earlier in July, 150 domestically-made minibuses were inducted into service in the shrine city.
According to Touraj Hemmati, the head of the provincial office of the Department of Environment, 4,300 polluting vehicles have been phased out in the last Iranian year (ended March 20, 2019) to streamline public transportation fleet in the metropolis.
"The move will positively alleviate air pollution in the city," he told YJC.
Efforts are also underway to rapidly expand the city’s subway. Late last week, the western flank of Line 2 was launched. Mashhad’s subway network comprises four lines (two of which are still under construction) and is planned to extend over 85 kilometers.
The Capital City
In Tehran, feasibility studies have been launched for light rail transit (LRT) lines in District 22, located in the northwestern part of the city.
According to Mohsen Pourseyyed-Aqaei, managing director of Transportation and Traffic Organization of Tehran Municipality, an LRT line has been mapped for the district, stretching over 13 kilometers.
LRT is a form of urban rail transit using rolling stock similar to a tram, but operating at a higher capacity.
Tehran’s District 22 covers around 5,500 hectares in the western part of the capital and includes residential, recreational and tourism facilities.
Experts say traffic congestion will definitely grow, as urban development increases in the district. So, in addition to developing the urban transport fleet, the establishment of rail-based transportation to ease road traffic will be necessary.
Besides the LRT, two newly-mapped subway extensions of lines 9 and 10, which are to cross District 22, is on the TM's agenda.
Pourseyyed-Aqaei said Line 10 will have 24 stations, nine of which will be located in the district.
No further information about Line 9 has been released yet.
Tehran’s subway network comprises seven lines (1 to 7) with nearly 100 stations. Line 6 and 7 are still under construction.
Inter-City Trips
Pourseyyed-Aqaei also clarified the progression of other projects in the district and said a passenger terminal and several multi-story parking buildings are being constructed in the area.
Besides, the installation of traffic surveillance cameras along the main thoroughfares has also been prioritized.
Earlier in December 2018, the official told the media that a plan is in the pipeline to start a Bus Rapid Transit service between Tehran and Alborz Province to the west.
He added that plans are being reviewed for separating one line of Hemmat and Hakim highways for the exclusive commute of BRTs, as part of efforts to ease traffic congestion.
Hakim Highway stretches 8.5 kilometers in the north-central part of Tehran. Hemmat Highway, one of the most clogged routes, is 18 km long reaching Tehran-Karaj Highway at its farthest western flank.
If authorities in Alborz Province cooperate with TM, the line can connect Tehran to Karaj. Tehran-Karaj Highway is almost always clogged as a large number of people come to Tehran for work every day, minus the weekends. Establishment of the special lane can bring succor to people who are forced to spend hours commuting between the two cities.
Highlighting the fact that Tehran has been notorious for its maddening traffic and air pollution, Pourseyyed-Aqaei said the municipality's efforts are largely focused on curbing air pollution and less on reducing traffic congestion.
However, the improvement of conditions will take time, perhaps years. Hopefully, efficient management and strict oversight of spending policies will help ease the situation for commuters using public means of transportation.
