Manama: The authorities in charge of King Fahd Causeway that links Bahrain with Saudi Arabia have increased the charge for using it.
A crossing fee of BD2 or SR20 (Dh19.58) was imposed in November 1986 when the 25km terrestrial link was opened.
However, starting January 1, the charge for crossing the causeway in a car will be increased to SR25. The fee is imposed on the vehicle but no charges are required from passengers, regardless of their numbers.
The authorities said that the increase in the fees was aimed at reinforcing financial resources to meet new developments.
These include the creation of two new islands on either side of the border over an area of 750,000 square metres.
Work on the land reclamation will last around 18 months and will be followed by the construction of the infrastructure and buildings.
The causeway, Bahrain’s only terrestrial link with a neighbouring country, was opened by the late king Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz and the late emir Shaikh Eisa Bin Salman Al Khalifa.
It has been a crucial factor in the increase in the numbers of people arriving in Bahrain, mainly from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait, and of Bahrain-based people travelling beyond the island kingdom.
According to official figures, 281,755,297 people have used the causeway since it was opened until the end of 2014, an average of 26,618 travellers a day.
The number of vehicles for the same period was 112,863,043, representing an average of 10,663 a day and making it one of the busiest traffic areas between Arab countries.
In 2014, Saudi cars totalled 3,546,557, compared with 1,058,279 from Bahrain, while 197,135 cars were from other countries.
However, the numbers of passengers from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were almost equal, with 11,015,552 travellers from Bahrain and 11,335,525 from Saudi Arabia.
Around 5,000 employees work in three shifts on the link.
In October, more than 105,000 people crossed the causeway, setting a new record.
Officials in Bahrain said that 105,182 travellers used the on October 11, the highest one-day figure since the terrestrial ink was opened.
The figures coincided with the Eid Al Adha holidays in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the Arab and Islamic countries.
The authorities ensured all lanes were opened and increased the staff to speed up clearance procedures and facilitate the smooth flow of traffic.
Authorities in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have issued statements about increasing the number of lanes for cars, busses and trucks to help deal with traffic congestion, particularly during the weekends and holidays.
Saudis and several Saudi Arabia-based foreigners who work or study in Bahrain commute daily while a large number of Bahrain-based expatriates and Bahrainis use the causeway daily to go to their work or universities.
Strong family links between Gulf citizens are a significant factor in the exchange of visits over the causeway.
Movie theatres screening the latest movies and shopping complexes are considered among the top reasons for trips by Saudi families or Saudi Arabia-based foreigners to Manama.
The causeway is also used by trucks, mainly from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE, heading towards Bahrain to deliver or load products.
Queues of long vehicles are often seen at the entrance or exit of the causeway.
