The Public Transport Authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced remarkable figures reflecting the rapid growth in the land transport sector. The quarterly statistical bulletin revealed that the number of passengers who used buses to travel between the Kingdom's cities and governorates exceeded 884,000 passengers during the fourth quarter of 2025. These figures confirm the success of the operational and strategic plans developed by the Authority to enhance the efficiency of this vital sector and raise the level of services provided to beneficiaries.
Official data released by the authority revealed that the total number of intercity bus trips during the same period exceeded 43,200, covering various regions of the Kingdom with an extensive network of interconnected routes. This significant volume of operations indicates the growing confidence of citizens, residents, and visitors in the public transport system as a safe, comfortable, and economical travel option, especially given the continuous improvements in service quality and the modernization of the bus fleet to meet international standards.
Mecca takes center stage
In terms of the geographical distribution of passenger traffic, the Makkah region topped the list, recording the highest number of passengers, with approximately 259,600 traveling to and from the city. This high demand and first-place ranking are logically attributed to the region's religious significance and the continuous and active flow of pilgrims and visitors throughout the year, making bus transportation a vital artery for serving the guests of God. The capital, Riyadh, came in second with 198,400 passengers, followed by the Eastern Province with 132,600 passengers, reflecting the intense economic and social activity within the Kingdom's largest economic and population center.
Madinah also recorded a strong presence with 61,500 passengers, followed by the Asir region with 55,400 passengers, while the rest of the numbers were distributed across the various governorates and other regions of the Kingdom, thus ensuring comprehensive coverage that connects the far-flung parts of the Kingdom with each other.
Context of strategic transformation in the transport sector
These positive results are a direct reflection of the major transformation taking place in the transport and logistics sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Over the past few years, the Public Transport Authority has worked on a project to liberalize the intercity bus transport market and divide the route network into specific concession areas, which has contributed to attracting quality investments and increasing competitiveness.
This strategic initiative aims to achieve several national benefits, most notably raising road safety and security standards, providing modern transportation options equipped with the latest technologies and amenities, and reducing excessive reliance on private cars for long-distance travel. This approach effectively contributes to alleviating traffic congestion and reducing carbon emissions to protect the environment, as well as supporting the growing tourism sector by providing reliable and accessible transportation options for visitors to explore the Kingdom's diverse geography and culture.
