Cabinet directs to complete bus market liberalization procedures

The Saudi Cabinet

The Saudi Cabinet decided last week to extend the commitment contract of Saudi Public Transport Co. (SAPCO).

In addition, the Cabinet gave the go-ahead for the Transport General Authority (TGA) to coordinate with the National Center for Privatization (NCP) to complete the procedures of liberalizing the bus transport market.

On Nov. 30, SAPTCO announced that the Saudi Cabinet approved extending its commitment contract. The contract will be extended from Feb. 3, 2022, to Dec. 31, 2023, or until the commencement of operations in all districts under new contracts, whichever is earlier, according to data available with Argaam.

In February, TGA announced issuing a tender for providing bus services to link more than 200 cities and governorates across the Kingdom through 76 routes.

The project aims to transport over 6 million passengers annually through more than 300 bus stops in 76 routes through 200 cities and governorates served by almost 560 buses with more than 150 million kilometers annually.