Jeddah said to be in talks for funding transport network

Jeddah's government has held preliminary talks with banks to help secure funding for a multi-billion dollar public transport network, Reuters has reported citing banking sources.

The project includes a metro, light rail, tram, rail, local bus, marine transportation and a 2 km-long bridge. It is expected to be developed under a build-operate-transfer contract before transferring ownership to the government.

French engineering and consulting firm SYSTRA, which was hired to design the public transportation program for Jeddah, said the first part of the transport network could begin operations in 2020.

In 2013, the Saudi government approved a budget of SAR 45 billion for the project over seven years. However, the Kingdom is cancelling many infrastructure projects as a result of lower oil prices, and is seeking the contribution of the private sector in sectors of the economy to ease pressure on state finances.