Rail transport in Jordan

In the 2000s, Jordanian government began acquiring land for new rail routes. Following a study by BNP Paribas, three routes are planned, which were expected to be tendered later in 2010. The three routes were:[1]

1. From the Syrian border, via Zarqa, to the Saudi border; replacing part of the Hedjaz Railway;
2. Connecting the first line to Aqaba, and from Mafraq to Irbid, replacing another part of the Hedjaz Railway;
3. A link to the Iraqi border.

However, in late 2010, the government announced an economic relief package and following the 2011 Jordanian protests it was decided to reduce the expected three-year capital investment plan in the national railway network by 72 percent, partly to fund the relief package.[2] Therefore, it is unclear when the railways expansion plan will be carried out.

There are also plans for a light rail system operating between Amman and Zarqa and metro line in Amman.

Currently, two connected but non-contiguously operated sections of the Hedjaz Railway exist:

• from Amman in Jordan to Syria, as the "Hedjaz Jordan Railway".
• from phosphate mines near Ma'an to the Gulf of Aqaba as the "Aqaba Railway".

In August 2011, Jordanian government approved the construction of the railway from Aqaba to the Iraqi border (near Trebil). The Iraqis in the meantime started the construction of the line from the border to their current railhead at Ramadi.[3]

• Transport in Jordan
• Gulf Railway