Al-Rumaih: Riyadh public transport nears 500 million users within 2 years

Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistics Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih attending a dialogue session at the 25th World Energy Congress 2026 in Riyadh on Tuesday.RIYADH — Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistics Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih revealed that Riyadh’s public transport network has recorded nearly 500 million users in less than two years since its launch. He noted that the Riyadh Metro network comprises 85 stations, complemented by a bus network powered by a combination of electricity and conventional fuels. Al-Rumaih made the remarks on Tuesday while attending a dialogue session titled “Reshaping transport and energy technologies,” at the 25th World Energy Congress 2026 in Riyadh. The deputy minister affirmed that the Kingdom is moving ahead with expanding public transport networks across various cities, paving the way for greater reliance on electric transport and a more diversified energy mix in the sector. He emphasized that the Kingdom is not merely discussing carbon emission reductions but is actively implementing initiatives and projects to achieve this objective. He pointed out that the Riyadh Metro is the largest metro network ever built simultaneously, adding that the strong demand for public transport in less than two years of operation reflects a significant shift in mobility patterns, despite earlier expectations that residents would continue to rely primarily on private cars. Al-Rumaih said that the transport and logistics sector accounts for approximately 30 percent of global energy demand, stressing that reducing carbon emissions in this sector is a long-term undertaking that requires the development of a diverse range of solutions and technologies tailored to the specific characteristics and operational requirements of each mode of transport. He noted that the Saudi Green Initiative provides a comprehensive framework for achieving the Kingdom’s target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2060. He underscored the pivotal role of the transport and logistics sector in achieving this ambition through initiatives outlined in the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which covers aviation, maritime, railway, road, and land transport.