Riyadh Metro benefits win EU laurels

RIYADH: People will greatly benefit from the ongoing Riyadh Metro project, which will not only reduce the need for private transportation but also alleviate regular traffic snarls often witnessed on the streets of the capital, said Henrik Hololei, the visiting European Union (EU) director general for mobility and transport.
Hololei is currently leading a delegation to the capital to reinforce cooperation between the Kingdom and the EU in the transport sector. He met with Transport Minister Abdullah Al-Muqbil, who is also chairman of the board of the Saudi Railways Organization, and Sulaiman Al-Hamdan, president of General Authority for Civil Aviation, on Sunday. He also made a presentation on rail transport at the GCC Secretariat on Monday.
He pointed out that he understands the problems of the detours on Riyadh roads due to the construction of the Riyadh Metro, but it is being built for the benefit of road users, which they will enjoy once the project is completed. “A well-functioning metro system will ease congestion and increase dependence on public transport.”
He said his visit was to strengthen relations between the GCC, including the Kingdom, and the EU in the transport sector which covers, road, rail, air and maritime services.
“The Kingdom and the EU can exchange their experiences for the good of the two parties,” he said, pointing out that the proposed Land Bridge project, east coast to Jordan, and the high-speed train project between Makkah and Madinah and Jeddah and Makkah are highly commendable efforts undertaken by the Kingdom.
The EU, he said, is interested in cooperating with the GCC in its rail expansion project. “We have a rich experience in building cross-country rail in Europe,” he said, adding that in the field of aviation, the EU is in a position to exchange its expertise in air traffic management systems, and aviation security, and aerospace design.