RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Public Transport Authority (PTA) has signed an agreement for the largest intercity transport project to transport passengers between cities in Saudi Arabia by buses. It aims to build a transport network connecting more than 200 cities and governorates. According to the PTA officials, more than six million people will get travel services through this every year. A new breed of eco-friendly buses equipped with state-of-the-art technology will be used for the services. Officials also stated that buses will operate on 76 routes.
Engineer Salih Al Jasser, Minister of Transport Logistics and Chairman of the Board of Directors of PTA, said that this project is the first foreign investment in the intercity transport service sector and will pave the way for future investments in the sector. He appreciated the role of PTA in turning challenges into successful investment opportunities. The project will add 3.22 billion riyals to the country’s gross domestic product a year. The Minister also opined that the project is helpful for the development of tourism in the country and for making the transport system more efficient and thus for the development of various sectors.
This will contribute to improving economic diversification and strengthening partnerships with the private sector. The objective of the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services is to increase the percentage of passengers using public transport in the country to 15 per cent from the current one per cent by 2030. The new intercity bus service scheme will help in achieving this goal. One of the most important objectives of the strategy to improve the quality of life in cities is the development of the transport sector. He said that the new scheme will help in achieving the target of reducing the percentage of carbon emissions from transport to 25 per cent by 2030.
Read Latest Gulf News and Malayalam News
MV Govindan does not respond to questions against Akash Tillankeri
