Fuel hike considered to promote public transport use

Development of Arriyadh is considering a hike in fuel prices to make more motorist use public transport, according to a local paper. The increase is seen as way to encourage private car owners to use the metro and city bus services, that are set to be widely available in the capital.
On Sunday, Riyadh Gov. Prince Khaled bin Bandar, chairman of the High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh, unveiled the $22.5 billion Riyadh Metro Project.
The project was awarded to three foreign-led consortia, which will design and construct the 176-km metro project. The three contractors signed the project package with ADA in the presence of Prince Khaled.
‘High fuel prices will prompt a considerable number of private car owners to depend on the metro and buses for their commuting,’ the authority said.
Another proposal to discourage people using private vehicles is to impose fees for car parking, it said.
The reduced use of private vehicles will also be good for a cleaner environment in the city, it said.