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Unified Public Transport

Unified Public Transport
Unified Public Transport

Several aspects of the public transport system have been mechanized and “cutting edge technologies have been used to devise bus schedules,” says Seyed Jafar Tashakori Hashemi, transport deputy at the Tehran Municipality (TM).

Mechanization of transport vehicles and infrastructure is an extensive project. By unifying the public transport systems “we plan to establish a unified model for urban traffic management,” the official further said.  

The formation of a unified public transport model is a prerequisite to “organized urban management at the national level,” he noted.

Mechanized technical inspection of automobiles has been carried out in Tehran. With the cooperation of the ministry of interior, the process must also be carried out in all other metropolises, he stressed.

A loss of approximately $4.5 billion in the domestic economy is caused by road accidents. Standardization of public transport, however, can significantly reduce such financial losses, IRNA reported the official as saying.

 No New Buses

There are now 6500 buses in Tehran’s public transport fleet, of which 2000 are dilapidated. Although the capital needs at least 11,000 buses to complete its fleet, no buses have been added in the past four years.

If urban transport problems are to be eradicated “the government must pay closer attention and allocate the necessary funds,” the official said.

He noted that “delayed budget allocation affect the quality of public services. Once the designated funds are given, additional buses will be procured.”

Recent advancements in domestic industries have contributed to the development of public transport, especially the subway system.

The government and parliament have sanctioned funds for public transport, in particular for the metro and approval of the Economic Council is awaited. If the council approves, 30 km of subway tracks can be laid out annually. “Unfortunately, the issue of financing in urban management has gotten tangled in bureaucratic formalities,” he charged.

Insufficient funding is the main cause of shortcomings in public transport. If current problems are not uprooted soon, citizens will continue to use private vehicles, which unfortunately will result in more traffic, air pollution, and car accidents, he said.

Financialtribune.com