UNIV 1212: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Instructor: Ms. Lisa Hibbard
Section: 211
Names: Haneen Alkowaileet & Mznah Alshuker
IDs: 201200430 & 201202495
Majors: Accounting & Human Resource
Assignment 3: Group Debate about a Topical Issue in Saudi Arabia (20%)
Public Transportation in Saudi Arabia: Metro Railway Stations
Introduction:
Public transportation is a shared transport passenger service that provides mobility
and access to work, schools, medical care, recreation areas, and etc… Examples of public
transportation are: taxis, busses, trains, airplanes, trams, subways and others. The benefits
of public transportation impact everyone, individuals, communities, and nations as a
whole. More and more societies are recognizing the importance of public transportation
and its significance to the economic and social quality of life for the citizens. Therefore,
governments are spending substantial amount of money to support their public
transportation systems. With this being said, policy makers in Saudi Arabia are pushing
towards establishing a metro system that will benefit individuals all across the nation. In
this paper, we will debate and argue about the better future for Saudi Arabia in building a
metro railway system and how this may benefit citizens and the nation at large.
Reasons for the Issue:
One of the most important benefits of building a metro railway station in Saudi
Arabia is because of the environmental advantage. It is no secret that Saudi Arabia has a
rapid growing population. In the capital city Riyadh alone, the population in 2012 was
approximately 5.7 million. It is expected that this number will increase to eight million by
2030. The new metro system will fulfill the demands of a growing population. It will play
a vital role in creating a healthier nation. It will reduce traffic congestion, noise pollution,
and improve air quality in general (railway-technology.com, 2013). Public
transportation produces 95 percent less carbon monoxide (CO), 90 percent less in
dangerous organic compounds, and about half as much carbon dioxide (CO2) and
nitrogen oxide (NOx), per passenger mile, as private vehicles (American Public
Transportation Association, 2007). Thus, metro railway trains are considered
environmental friendly by decreasing global warming and improving air quality.
In addition, energy conservation is every nations priority and the metro railway
station transportation system can achieve significant energy saving by decreasing the
country’s petrol consumption. Also, investing in public transportation generates
significant economic benefits and supports a strong and prosperous economy (American
Public Transportation Association, 2007). For further explanation, when a person saves
money when gas prices goes up and purchase a metro ticket, this investment will benefit
the government. The government will use this money to build a stronger economy,
enhance businesses, create more job opportunities, and improve the standards of living.
Thus, metro railway trains are considered a backbone of a strong and prosperous
economy.
Reasons Against the Issue:
A lot of people may agree with building metros in KSA without thinking about
the cons of this action. When arguing about metro railway trains are considered
environmental friendly, a major con about these projects are the cost and expenses of
building such projects. The Saudi government has announced it will spend $22 billion
dollars on a metro system for the capital Riyadh alone (BBC.Com, 2013). This cost may
go even higher because many businesses in this project proved not to be sufficient and
effective and had to be replaced by other contractors. Also, supporting services are
another major cost that need to be considered when budgeting for these kind of projects.
Examples of the supporting services are busses and taxis that are needed to transport
people to the metro station. Because of the harsh weather, people are not expected to
walk to these stations. Therefore, the weather and geographical structure of the country
does not support the notion of spending so much money on such projects.
When arguing about energy conversation, oil prices in Saudi Arabia are
considered to be cheap. Moreover, cars are on very high demand by people and gas prices
are affordable. People consider transportation by cars more convenient because you don’t
have to worry about schedules and waiting time at the metro station. In addition, there is
no motivating incentive to switch from using cars. Because the demand is not high
enough for metro stations, we might end up with expensive metro station projects in
addition to the existing problem of car congestion.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, metro rail way stations are critical for the Saudi nation future.
Improving the air quality, conservation of energy, and improving the nations economy
are all reasons for us to consider the importance of a metro railway station system in
place in Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, considering the geographical, social, and
societal structure of the Saudi country is something that should be taken into thought
when structuring for such projects.
Reference
American Public Transportaion Association. (2007). Retrieved April 23rd, 2014, from
http://www.apta.com/resources/reportsandpublications/Documents/twenty_first_c
entury.pdf
BBC News - Middle East: Saudi Arabia to Build $22bn Riyadh Metro. (2013).
Retrieved April 23rd, 2014, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middleeast-23493461
Gayathre, A. (2013). International Business Times. Retrieved April 23rd, 2014, 2013,
from http://www.ibtimes.com/saudi-arabia-unveils-riyadh-metro-projectworth-225-billion-bechtel-aecom-among-foreign-companies
Riyadh Metro, Saudi Arabia – Railway Technology. (2014). Retrieved April 23rd,
2014, from
http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/-riyadh-metro-saudi-arabia/