Governments need to consider how they will make money from land surrounding rail and metro systems when designing them.

The cost of rail systems cannot be recouped from fares paid by passengers alone, so any rail strategy needs to include plans around what will be cited in surrounding land to maximise income levels.

“Rail public transport is a government spend. Money you get back from passengers is infinitesimal to the actual construction cost. Increasingly [governments are looking at] how to make use of the land adjacent to the stations,” said Roger Cruickshank, Middle East director of strategic transport planning at Atkins, speaking to MEED.

Authorities need to create zones of attraction around stations that increase passenger levels, helping revenues and the economics of the area, he said.

Cruickshank added that while many cities have been designed around roads and people moving by car, countries increasingly realise they need an integrated public transport system. “Urban planners trying to establish better connectivity, and highlighting that money can be made from the connections.”