Legislative Reform and Infrastructure Expansion to Reshape Bahrain’s Transport Sector

Email: online@newsofbahrain.com

Transportation and Telecommunications Minister HE Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa recently addressed Parliament to highlight a critical legislative gap currently undermining the Kingdom’s land transport industry. Relying on only two articles within the existing Traffic Law, the sector lacks the robust legal tools necessary to curb irregular practices and enforce penalties against repeat violators. To bridge this gap, the Ministry is advocating for a unified GCC land transport law. This framework is expected to harmonize sanctions across member states and regulate transit operations, ultimately providing Bahrain’s 140 international transport companies and their 2,300-truck fleet with a more structured and competitive environment within the GCC common market.

To mitigate the persistent issue of truck congestion in residential neighborhoods, the Minister outlined a transition toward dedicated logistical infrastructure. The core problem, the absence of designated holding yards, is being addressed through the development of a temporary facility near Khalifa Bin Salman Port and a permanent, fully integrated truck holding area within the upcoming new customs zone. These facilities are designed to manage vehicles awaiting movement across the King Fahad Causeway, reducing the pressure on residential roads. In coordination with the Interior Ministry, the government also plans to intensify the monitoring of designated truck routes and operating hours to ensure better traffic flow and public safety.

Simultaneously, the Ministry is moving forward with the ambitious Bahrain Metro project to provide a modern alternative to road travel. Phase One will feature two primary lines consisting of 20 stations, including major interchanges at the Bahrain Financial Harbour and the Manama Central Market. The first line will connect Bahrain International Airport to the Seef District, while the second will link Juffair to the Educational District in Isa Town. By connecting these strategic commercial and residential hubs, the project aims to significantly alleviate traffic density and enhance the Kingdom’s overall urban mobility.