The Greater Amman Municipality's (GAM) trips organizing authority has temporarily halted Route 98 of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) - the route links Tareq station - Tabarbour to Sweileh station, and was suspended coinciding with the start of inter-semester break of universities.

The decision was made without any prior notification through the BRT accounts on social media, according to bus passengers speaking to “Roya.”

Route 98 was launched on Oct. 6, 2022, connecting Tareq station to Sweileh station with a fare of 55 cents.

Passengers stated that the suspension of Route 98 leads to increased morning congestion inside the station, forcing them to use Routes 99 and 100, where they have to wait longer, obstructing the primary goal of BRT, which aims to save effort, time, and costs for citizens.

Passengers urged GAM to reinstate Route 98 and to not suspend it again, as it vitally contributes to smooth traffic inside the station and prevents congestion during peak morning hours.

The total number of passengers using Amman Bus and BRT reached 44.3 million, covering a network of 870 kilometers with 43 routes, according to Yousef Al-Shawarbeh, the Mayor of Amman.

- Route to be reactivated once universities commence -

The media spokesperson for GAM, Nasser Al-Rahamneh told Roya that the main route at Tareq station is Route 100, while Route 98 is considered supplementary during peak hours. He noted that its suspension is temporary, not permanent.

Al-Rahamneh added that Route 98 will resume operations on Feb. 15, 2024, coinciding with the universities' return to regular schedules. The stations are expected to experience increased demand from students, resulting in greater pressure on the use of the BRT buses.

There is a continuous upward trend in the number of users of the public transportation system in Amman.

The BRT is the first rapid transit system for the city, providing a flexible and integrated public transportation service that is fast, secure, and highly reliable.