Free downtown bus service temporarily halted

AMMAN — “Makook Al Balad”, a free bus service in downtown Amman, launched by the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) back in 2014, stopped operating in response to the pandemic and roadworks.

Makook Al Balad service consists of three buses, with a 10-minute frequency, using dedicated lanes and stops, aimed to alleviate traffic jams in downtown Amman and encourage citizens to use public transportation, GAM Spokesperson Naser Rahamneh told The Jordan Times over the phone on Monday.

“The service has been stopped in response to the unprecedented conditions imposed by the pandemic, in addition to the installation of box culverts in downtown Amman,” the spokesperson noted.

 Every day, the three buses leave from Muhajireen intersection, going to Al Hussein Cultural Centre, Al Quds Street, the Jordan Museum, Raghadan Complex, Roman Theatre, Al Husseini Mosque, as well as, other commercial centres and tourism and cultural areas, according to the GAM website.

“Makook Al Balad is a tourist service that GAM has activated to boost the businesses in the downtown area and ease traffic congestions,” he said.

The service will soon be operating again after the roadworks are completed and the pandemic situation is improved, according to the spokesperson.