Amman bus rapid transit procurement & Jordan’s nationwide payment system

Realized in Jordan

Rebel is supporting the Greater Amman Municipality’s flagship Bus Rapid Transit initiative, leading the procurement of systems and operations for Jordan’s first mass transit network, while guiding national stakeholders in establishing a modern, interoperable payment framework for public transport.

The challenge

Jordan aimed to establish an integrated mass transit system and a modern fare payment framework capable of supporting future growth across all public transport modes. Achieving this required solutions that enable interoperability, unify system architecture, and ensure a seamless user experience across corridors and operators. At the same time, the system needed to promote financial inclusion by providing accessible payment options for unbanked and underbanked populations. Designing approaches that were scalable, future-proof, and aligned with international best practice formed the core challenge.

Rebel leads the full procurement process for the Greater Amman Municipality’s BRT program, preparing all required technical and non-technical documentation for the supply, implementation, and long-term operation of the system. This includes station management systems, on-vehicle ITS, fleet tracking, and a comprehensive fare collection solution. The procurement strategy is structured around two core contracts: one covering fleet supply, operation, and maintenance, and the other governing the deployment and operation of intelligent transport and fare collection systems. Together, these contracts establish the foundations of a reliable, high-capacity rapid transit network operating on exclusive lanes and providing real-time, data-driven service oversight.

This work supports the Government of Jordan’s broader Public-Private Partnership program, which seeks to modernize public transport through sustainable financing models and integrated operational structures. Rebel ensures that all technical, operational, and contractual specifications align with international best practice, facilitate seamless integration across the Amman and Amman–Zarqa BRT corridors, and are structured for long-term scalability.

In parallel, Rebel is advising national stakeholders on the design of a nationwide interoperable payment framework that extends beyond the BRT system to all public transport modes. Built around contactless EMV (cEMV) technology, the framework reduces dependence on proprietary systems, fosters competition among licensed financial institutions and payment service providers, and enables unified, interoperable service delivery across operators. Rebel’s contributions include defining the full system architecture, preparing a targeted Request for Information for market engagement, and shaping the contractual and technical foundations of the Master Service Agreement.

A key innovation within the framework is the introduction of a merchant-restricted prepaid card model that enables fare payment without requiring KYC, ensuring access for unbanked and underbanked users. The resulting solution supports a unified acquiring strategy, scalable transaction volumes, and seamless interoperability across transport modes, forming the backbone of a modern, inclusive national fare ecosystem.