A plan is in the making to start a special bus service between Tehran and Alborz Province to the west, as a solution to help ease commute.
While Tehran has almost 8.6 million residents, the daily influx of people brings the ‘daylight’ population to more than 15 million. Neighboring Alborz, which has vast and growing population, is the main region from which millions come for work and more.
Mohsen Pour Seyed Aqaei, managing director of Tehran Municipality Transportation and Traffic Organization told YJC 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 the traffic congestion in the capital.
Hakim Highway stretches 8.5 kilometers in the north-central part of Tehran. Hemmat Highway, which is one of the most clogged routes, is 18km long reaching Tehran-Karaj Highway at its farthest western flank.
If authorities in Alborz Province cooperate with the TM, the line can connect Tehran to Karaj. Tehran-Karaj Highway is almost always clogged as large numbers 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 in commute between the two cities.
Public Support
"As public transportation options expand, more people will be encouraged to use the services as a preferred means of transportation," Aqaei said.
The special bus line will be similar to the bus rapid transit network already on several routes in Tehran.
Tehran BRT was officially inaugurated in 2008 on eight routes to facilitate vehicular traffic. According to TM, it now has 10 routes stretching over 165 km, transporting over two million passengers on a daily basis. The Tehran Metro carries four million passengers a day.
Aqaei says the numbers show that people do value and use public transportation. “The new lines in the two main highways in the capital will definitely be welcomed by people.”
Highlighting the fact that Tehran has been notorious for its monstrous traffic and air pollution, Aqaei said so far the municipality's efforts are largely focused on curbing air pollution and less on reducing traffic congestion.
Traffic in Tehran and between Tehran and satellite cities has become a major dilemma, particularly during rush hours, due to the growing urban population and increasing private vehicle ownership.
