Concurrent with the expansion of Tehran Metro Line 3, four new stations: Shahid Beheshti, Nobonyad, Shahid Zeinedin and Shahrak Ghaem, will commence operation in September, said Seyed Jafar Tashakori Hashemi, transport deputy at the Tehran Municipality (TM).
Line 3 will run a total length of 37 km, and ultimately comprise 28 stations, of which 12 are currently operational. The four new stations will start functioning simultaneously in a couple of weeks adding 18 km to the existing total line of 19 km.
Line 3 is one of the most important lines as it connects southwest Tehran to northeast and crosses busy parts of the capital city. About 7 km of Line 3 became operational in December 2012, followed by 12 km in April 2014.
The new stations will extend the northern Line 3 by 18 km and link the busy Azadegan Highway to Shahrak Ghaem, and help ease traffic congestion.
Statistics show that the Tehran Metro has been used 4 billion times, and the subway will help save 9 billion liters of petrol by 2021. Moreover, every metro line provides hundreds of job opportunities directly and indirectly.
Bus Transport
Hashemi also pointed to the 200-260 urban buses that are to be added to the Tehran bus fleet in October, soon after the new academic year starts (September 23), reports IRNA.
“We have made efforts to reduce transportation problems by developing necessary infrastructure.” October is seen as the busiest month for public transportation as 2 million students start commuting to 500 schools and education centers, increasing traffic jams by up to 25%.
More than 48,000 taxi drivers attended special courses on safe driving and 30,000 more will be trained soon.
Free public transport could be provided to people with disabilities and students in schools with special needs, if the Tehran Municipality is prepared to undertake their expenses, he said.
Hashemi also referred to the White Line project which will come into force to raise public awareness on complying with traffic rules such as: lane discipline, observing pedestrian’s right of way, traffic signs and signals, and zebra crossings, especially at road intersections.
