TEHRAN -- The chairman of the Majlis Energy Commission, MP Hossein Afarideh, said here on Sunday after a visit by MPs to the Tehran Metro, "In the very near future, there will be about 11 million passengers being transported by the metro."

He added that when all the Metro lines are completed, use of oil products will be reduced by about 25 million liters and about $2.5 billion will be saved annually.

He said that the Majlis Energy Commission is in favor of providing additional government funds for expanding metro lines.

Ahmad Azimi, the deputy chairman of the Majlis Energy Commission, said, "The approximately five million vehicles transporting people around the country use about 50 million liters of gasoline.

Each car uses about 10 liters of gasoline per day, while this figure is 3-4 liters per day in other countries. "This is due to lack of the proper means of transportation in Iran. The metro is the safest, speediest, and most affordable means of transportation."

He noted that subways can save time and money and can help conserve oil products.