Resource information
The World Bank's study covered all
modes of city and inter-city land transport, also designated
in this report under the name of 'road transport'.
However, the report focuses on the Governments two main
concerns: the urban bus and taxi sector, which performs
poorly and is a major cause of the growing traffic
congestion in Yemeni cities, particularly in Sana'a;
and the inter-city freight sector, which does not presently
develop in ways that adequately serve the economy.
Sana'a is indeed a large and fast growing city where
public transport has become critical. Its population was
1.75 million in 2004, while forecasts are for 2.8 million
for 2014 and 3.8 million for 2024. Yet, Sana'a's
public transport system performs poorly. Similarly, the
efficiency of inter-city freight transport is low and it
does not promote trade, competition, and low price of basic
commodities as it should. In addition, Yemen faces a very
high rate of road accidents: in 2006, the number of recorded
accidents was about 13,000, resulting in about 2,700 deaths
and 18,000 injuries. The current legal framework for the
regulation of city and inter-city transport is contained in
law 33 of 2003 which created an open market for passenger
and freight transport services, replacing the previous
monopolies held by syndicates. Tariffs for road freight and
passenger services are unregulated.
