A new fleet of public buses has been launched in the Saudi port city of Jeddah including environmentally friendly electric vehicles, and new routes to serve larger parts of the bustling city.
The step seeks to provide a comfortable and efficient mode of transport to help reduce traffic congestion, boost environment protection, and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors to Jeddah, a city of around 3.7 million people.
The project currently operates an integrated network of 76 buses serving several densely populated residential areas with 14 routes and 91 stops. They are distributed to meet daily transportation needs across the city.
Jeddah is home to the King Abdulaziz International Airport, a hub for hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims arriving to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage and the Umrah or minor pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca.
Last December, Saudi Arabia launched its first hydrogen-powered bus, marking another milestone in the kingdom’s push toward environmentally friendly transportation.
The country’s transport authorities have also unveiled several transportation initiatives, including the introduction of self-driving buses and electric vehicles in the car rental industry, as well as the operation of the first hydrogen truck and the first electric truck for transporting goods in the kingdom.
In 2023, Saudi Arabia conducted run-tests for hydrogen-powered trains in the capital Riyadh. These trains are noted for zero carbon emissions, and environmental friendliness.
The public transport programme in Jeddah, a commercial hub, has been designed to address both the city’s current and future needs, Okaz newspaper reported.
Modelled after some of the world’s leading cities, the programme aims to achieve a sustainable future for quality of life by providing comprehensive and integrated public transport services.
