Seventeen companies expressed interest in the scheme, which is needed to meet increasing commuter and general passenger traffic between the two cities, which have a combined population of about three million. The majority of the twin-track electric railway will be constructed on the route of the existing Hijaz railway between Al-Mahatta station in Amman and Zarqa New Garden City. A three-kilometre extension planned for early 2009 will take the line along King Abdullah Street to the Raghadan terminal in Amman. The PTRC estimates the system will carry about 45,000 passengers a day in its first year.

A feasibility study was prepared by Austria Rail Engineeringin 1996. The study was updated in 1998 and again in 2003 by Japan's Padecoand the local Consolidated Consultants(MEED 10:9:04).