The Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications (MTT) has achieved the first place in the Federation of Arab Engineers Award for the Best National Transport Project 2016 for its new public bus network in Bahrain.

The award was presented at the 27^th Arab Engineering Conference, which opened today under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister.  

MTT Undersecretary of Land Transportation and Post Affairs, Her Excellency Engineer Mariam Ahmed Jumaan, said that with the implementation of this project, the Ministry has developed the transportation network to cover 77% of the populated area in the Kingdom by utilizing 141 new buses that serve 32 lines across Bahrain. MTT has also established the smart card ticketing system which is one of the most advanced systems in bus transport.  The service also provides all necessary amenities and facilities for people with special needs and the elderly, and has introduced new features for the first time including free WiFi service onboard all buses.  

Her Excellency expressed her appreciation to the Federation of Arab Engineers for their efforts in promoting the development of public transportation systems in the Arab world. She also noted that the development of the mass transportation network in Bahrain is one of the Ministry’s most important strategic projects, because of its vital role in providing transport services to the citizens and residents of the Kingdom as well as contributing to the country's  economy and its infrastructure facilities,  in accordance with the Government’s action plan. 

The Arab Engineers Award was established to support the capabilities of Arab Engineers to achieve the optimum development and to raise the status of the engineering profession in the Arab World. The award also aims to reward outstanding national achievements and to encourage the engineering projects, research centers, studies and academics to engage in the scientific field.