Bahrain metro plan delayed amid cash crisis

Work on a multi-billion-dinar rapid transit network for Bahrain - similar to the one opening next month in Dubai - has been delayed by a year, it was revealed on Sunday.

It has been delayed because vital studies have not been completed because of financing problems, said Works Minister Fahmi Al Jowder in comments published by Gulf Daily News.

The first part of the Integrated Public Transport study has been completed, but the second part has been delayed by a year, Al Jowder told the paper.

He said the government would be in a better position to decide what mix of funding it should use for the project, once the study was completed.

"Part two of study should have started, but due to the financial crisis it has been postponed," he said.

"The intention was to start part two of the study in mid-2008, complete it by the end of this year and begin implementing it in 2010.

"But what happened is that because we didn't start with the study, the implementation has been affected. It is premature to say how long it will be delayed."

The Integrated Transport Strategy will include two Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines, one 33km and the other 36.5km long, two light rail transit (LRT) lines - 32km and 32.7km long, a 21km tram line and a 29km monorail.

The integrated strategy is expected to be implemented in three phases, up to 2030.