Ammon News - Jordan is working to address the overcrowding of Palestinian travelers on the King Hussein Bridge, which was brought on by Israel's failure to accommodate the unprecedented passenger traffic, Minister of Interior Mazen Farraya said Tuesday.
During a dawn tour of the Jordan Valley crossing, the minister promised immediate, medium-term, and long-term solutions to the majority of traveler problems, especially those of a humanitarian and logistical nature.
Farraya explained that the border crossing is experiencing unprecedented traveler congestion as a result of a two-year travel disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the holiday season, and the return of expatriates.
He disclosed that more than 10,000 passengers arrive daily at the crossing, but only about half of them are able to cross due to the Israeli measures of short working hours and limited staff.
Regarding short-term fixes, the minister stated that new arrangements with the relevant transportation companies will allow for the sale of transportation tickets at designated locations throughout the governorates and the capital Amman rather than at the crossing and in accordance with the number of passengers the Israeli side can handle.
In addition, he noted that, within two weeks, an electronic platform will be launched through which travelers crossing the King Hussein Bridge can obtain an electronic transport ticket.
Farayya met with bridge officials, who suggested opening new lanes and rehabilitating existing ones so that one section is for commercial trucks and the other is for travelers to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.
The minister explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates is working with stakeholders to find solutions that will facilitate passenger traffic, denying that any country is mediating between Jordan and Israel regarding the travel movement procedures on the bridge.
He indicated that up to this point, there has been no official information about the Israeli side possibly lengthening its working hours.