Public bus transport statistics in Saudi Arabia: 27.8 million passengers
The Public Transport Authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia revealed a qualitative leap in the use of public transport, as the statistical bulletin issued by it today showed that the number of passengers who traveled via public transport buses within the cities and governorates of the Kingdom exceeded 27.8 million passengers during the fourth quarter of 2025. These figures reflect the great shift in the transportation behavior of residents and visitors, and the growing confidence in the public transport system as a basic and reliable option for daily transportation.
According to the statistics, Riyadh topped the list of Saudi cities in terms of operational density and the number of users, recording a record high of over 21.15 million passengers. This high demand is attributed to the completion of the Riyadh Bus Project and its coverage of most neighborhoods and vital locations, which has contributed to easing traffic congestion and providing convenient transportation options. Makkah came in second place with 3.42 million passengers, driven by the movement of pilgrims and visitors, followed by Jeddah with 1.19 million passengers.
In the Eastern Province, Dammam and Qatif recorded significant ridership, with 836,000 passengers, while Medina saw 481,000 passengers. Bus services also extended to other vital cities and governorates such as Qassim, Taif, Jazan, Al-Ahsa, and Tabuk, demonstrating the service's comprehensiveness and geographical reach across the Kingdom.
These results are of paramount strategic importance, aligning with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aim to increase the use of public transportation and reduce reliance on private vehicles. This trend directly contributes to improving the quality of life in cities, reducing carbon emissions from vehicle exhaust, and alleviating the burden on road infrastructure.
The Public Transport Authority affirms that these figures are the result of continuous efforts to develop the infrastructure for bus transport services and raise their operational efficiency by adopting the latest technologies in fleet management and electronic payment systems, in addition to expanding the network to include more routes that connect commercial, educational and health centers, thus facilitating the movement of citizens and residents and supporting sustainable economic development.
