Engr. Al-Shaalan: Public Transport Project enhances Riyadh’s competitiveness in attracting international events

Engr. Abdul Rahman Al-Shaalan, Head of ADA Transport Department, revealed that King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport (Metro & Buses) will lead to enactment of new regulations curtailing the use of vehicles in the streets of the capital to curb the worsening traffic crisis, as it offers convenient alternative transportation means to all residents of the city.

In a paper titled (Train Stations Experiment at King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport) delivered in the Saudi Travel and Tourism Investment Market (STTIM 2016), organized by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, Al-Shaalan referred that the public transport project will facilitate the hosting of international conferences, summits and activities, in addition to promoting the metropolitan investment environment. ‎

“In addition to easing traffic congestion, reducing dependence on the private cars, the project, provides alternative transportation means at a lower cost for all residents of the city, including those with no private cars, the women, the sick people, the elderly, the children, and people with special needs,” he noted.

He also stressed that public transport project will provide a practical foundation for the future urban development in the city, through improving its economic efficiency, diversifying its resources, creating more employment opportunities for its residents, achieving efficient distribution of the metropolitan services, and alleviating pollution. ‏

According to Al-Shaalan, metro cars are divided into three classes (first class, family class, and individual class), while users are divided into children below 10 years (free use of public transport), students, adults, people with special needs, and seniors (over 60 years). Regarding the ticket prices, Al-Shaalan referred that they are still under study, and that they will vary according to the user categories and ticket duration (daily, weekly, monthly, or annually).