Public transport system in Saudi Arabia lacks behind compared to other countries and economies. All the major cities have buses and transport for public to use but either the buses are very few and mostly are unreliable. This has caused the tourist or public to criticise the public transport system of Saudi Arabia. Concerns over economic development have led government of Saudi Arabia to divert its attention towards the multi modal transport system in the urban cities of Saudi Arabia. As we know that Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Gulf region and therefore it is very important for the country like Saudi Arabia to have proper public transport system.
Public transport couldn’t develop well in the Saudi Arabia as the easy access to the private autos and low price of neglected the requirement of public transport. The increased level of private vehicles resulted in the road congestion and increased accidents of the people. This is when the government thought to improve the public transport system for the public of Saudi Arabia which is currently not enough to meet the demand of the growing population of the Saudi Arabian region. Along with this, public completely lacks the benefits of having the public transport system and the privacy issues for the woman in the public transport is another objecting factor for weak public transport system of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Public Transport Company (SPATCO) is a joint stock company and it the largest provider of the public transport service in the county. SPATCO has come up with few initiative strategies that would help in the development of the public transport system in the region. Innovative strategies include construction and designing the multi modal transport system that would provide interconnectivity in the different modes of transport.
Situation for the public transport system in Saudi Arabia is changing. In the coming few years we can see much improved transport system for public use, considering the various steps are taken by the government of the Saudi Arabia.
References:
- SAPTCO. "Company History." SAPTCO. 2012. Web. <http://www.saptco.com.sa/index_en.html#>.
- Expat Focus. "Saudi Arabia Driving and Public Transport." Expat Focus. 2011. Web. 2013. <http://www.expatfocus.com/expatriate-saudi-arabia-driving>.
