Public transport ridership in Saudi Arabia tops 26 million in Q2 2026

The number of passengers using public buses within cities and provinces across Saudi Arabia rose by 23.2% in the second quarter of 2026, reaching more than 26.34 million, compared to the same period last year, according to the quarterly bulletin released by the Transport General Authority.

The authority said this growth reflects increasing demand for bus travel within cities and provinces, thanks to advanced technical features that meet top operational standards. The results also highlight ongoing efforts by the authority, in partnership with public and private sector entities, to develop bus services, boost operational efficiency, and expand coverage to more neighborhoods and key locations in cities.

Riyadh recorded the highest number of passengers, with 20.07 million, followed by Makkah with 2.97 million, and Jeddah with 1.19 million.

Elsewhere, the Dammam metropolitan area and Qatif saw 835,000 passengers, while Madinah recorded about 490,000, followed by Qassim with 273,000, Taif with 194,000, Al-Ahsa with 135,000, Jazan with 120,000, and Tabuk with 56,000.