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His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud inaugurates the official launch of public bus transportation
His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Tabuk Region, inaugurated today the operational launch of the Public Bus Transport Project in Tabuk City. The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistics Services and Acting President of the Transport General Authority, Dr. Rumaih bin Mohammed Al-Rumaih, the Mayor of the Region, Eng. Hussam bin Mowaffaq Al-Yousef, along with several local officials.
This project marks the first of its kind in the Kingdom to operate an entire route using fully electric buses, with electric vehicles representing 25% of the total bus fleet. This initiative highlights the shift towards sustainable transportation and reducing carbon emissions, making Tabuk the first Saudi city to integrate electric buses into its public transport system.
The new network includes five major routes spanning a total of 136 kilometers, operated by 30 modern buses driven by 90 qualified Saudi drivers. The network features 106 bus stops across the city, linking key locations and facilitating daily commutes for citizens, residents, and visitors. This reflects the commitment of the Transport General Authority and relevant entities to provide a safe, comfortable, and user-centered public transport environment.
During the inauguration, HRH Prince Fahd bin Sultan highlighted the leadership’s—may God protect them—great attention and continuous support for regional development and essential services that directly impact citizens and residents, particularly public transportation projects as a pillar of modern urban development.
He emphasized that this project represents a significant milestone in Tabuk’s transportation services and reflects the keenness of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince—may God preserve them—on enhancing quality of life, providing safe and organized transport solutions that meet community needs, support urban sustainability, and improve mobility within the city.
Prince Fahd bin Sultan affirmed that the Saudi citizen always supports successful initiatives and contributes to their continuity and success. He noted that this project is expected to be widely welcomed and will positively impact reducing congestion and improving mobility in the city, reflecting the aspirations of Saudi Vision 2030 for balanced and inclusive development across all regions.
At the end of the ceremony, Prince Fahd bin Sultan, accompanied by Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih and the Managing Director and CEO of the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO), Mr. Khalid bin Abdullah Alhogail, took a bus tour to review the project’s serviced routes, main stops, operational mechanisms, technical specifications, and the service level provided to beneficiaries. He also received a detailed briefing on the project’s components and smart operations system, which enables real-time bus tracking and provides trip information to users via digital applications to enhance the passenger experience and improve operational efficiency.
Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih stated that the launch of this project is a qualitative leap for the Tabuk region and reflects the transport sector’s commitment to improving quality of life by offering safe, organized, and sustainable public transport services that support city efficiency and the goals of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.
The Tabuk Public Transport Project is part of a broader national plan to develop bus-based public transport services across the Kingdom. Similar projects have been implemented in over 15 cities and provinces, with more than 104 million passengers served in 2024 alone, showcasing growing public trust in the system’s role in reducing dependence on private vehicles, easing traffic congestion, and enhancing transport safety and efficiency in cities.
It is noteworthy that the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) is the official operator of the public transport project in Tabuk, managing and operating the buses to ensure the delivery of high-quality services to users.
