Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The King Abdulaziz Public Transport Network for Buses in Riyadh city will start operation in the second quarter of the year 2021. The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has set the date for actual operation of the bus service, according to a statement of the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO), posted on the website of the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul).

The SAPTCO announced that it had received a notification from the Public Transport Company, in which SAPTCO has an 80 percent stake, in this regard.

The company clarified that it is difficult at this stage to determine the costs associated with the operation of the project, as it is coordinating with other related authorities on studying the necessary work plans following which the project costs will be specified and they will be announced at the appropriate time.

According to a decision taken by the Council of Ministers earlier, a supreme committee would supervise the Riyadh Metro project and the construction of a parallel network for bus transport, in line with the Comprehensive Public Transport Plan laid down by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City.

The plan aims to provide public transport service to all categories of the population, diversifying the modes and means of transport in the city in an effective and suitable manner, keeping in mind the social, economic, environmental and traffic conditions.

The project is expected to give the city a big boost, going beyond providing public transport service to all segments of the population.