Intercity Bus Service linking 200 cities and governorates across Saudi Arabia was inaugrated

The ceremony to launch the Intercity Bus Service connecting 200 cities and governorates around Saudi Arabia was presided over by Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Transport General Authority (TGA). The event, which TGA arranged in Riyadh on Monday, was attended by a number of ministers, diplomats, and representatives of both government agencies and private sector businesses. Together, Saudi Arabia and its international partners are offering integrated passenger bus services.

Operating the services in their separate concession regions, three worldwide alliances connect 200 cities and governorates over 76 routes. This will have a new fleet of cutting-edge buses with environmentally friendly technologies that can accommodate over six million people yearly. The Intercity Bus Service aims to provide commuters with a variety of transportation choices, expedite transit between cities and governorates, lower carbon emissions, increase public safety, and lessen traffic congestion.

Speaking at the event, Al-Jasser said that the Intercity Bus Service project will boost the GDP by SR3.2 billion and result in the creation of over 35,000 direct and indirect employment. He pointed out that since the Crown Prince unveiled the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services, Saudi Arabia has benefited from development and reform initiatives in every area of the transport and logistics system. Al-Jasser emphasised that the initiative to provide intercity bus transportation services is the first example of a foreign investment along this route to improve beneficiary services and strengthen links with the private sector.

In line with the goals of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which seeks to increase the percentage of public transport services in the Kingdom from 1% to 15% by 2030, a thorough explanation of the alliances and concession areas was provided during the ceremony. By lowering the share of carbon emissions from transport to 25% by 2030, the project will also help to translate one of the strategy's most significant objectives, which prioritises improving urban quality of life.

The bus service would be run by three international alliances in each of their separate concession zones. The northern concession for Darb AlWatan Company's 124 daily excursions spanning 26 routes in over 75 towns and governorates has been acquired. The third company, SAT (SAPTCO Alsa for Transportation), will offer 178 daily services in the southern concession area, connecting more than 80 cities and governorates via 27 routes. The Northwest Bus Company has secured the northwest concession to provide 190 daily trips in more than 70 cities and governorates across 23 routes.

Details, including as how to reserve tickets, are available on the TGA website.