Saudi Arabia's Ride, Hailing Boom Generates SR1.1 Billion For Drivers In 2024

All aboard: Saudi Arabia's ride-hailing is racing ahead, and the local drivers are reaping the benefits. Local drivers in Saudi Arabia have made an astonishing SR1.1 billion using licensed transport apps in the first nine months of 2024, in a boost powered by 12 percent increased demand compared to last year. The Transport General Authority is reportedly marking 51.8 million rides across the Kingdom-what a sea change in getting around for Saudis.

First comes Riyadh with a share of 39% in ride-hailing activity, meaning four trips out of each ten taken across Saudi Arabia. It is followed by Makkah with 25% and the Eastern Province with 16% of the total rides. In the third quarter alone, ride-hailing trips have seen a surge of 41% compared to the same period last year, indicating how widely the services have become embraced. Now, there are 46 licensed ride-hailing apps operating within the Kingdom.

The Transport General Authority is encouraging more and more young Saudis to join this sector while the need for ride-hailing at their doorstep is all-time high. This is thanks to the help extended from the Human Resources Development Fund, HADAF, with which they are able to access financial support that makes it possible to make ride-hailing a good flexible, part-time, or full-time activity for aspiring drivers. While young Saudis meet the growing demand for fast and convenient transportation, they gain valuable income.

As the ride-hailing industry gains momentum, it is transforming transportation across Saudi Arabia and reaping its economic and mobility benefits. With plans to continue improving transportation means such as electric flying taxis due in 2026, Saudi Arabia is dead serious about modern accessible public transit options. To the drivers, the boom of ride hailing is much more than an income opportunity; instead, this is a good avenue to participate in the Kingdom's shifting urban mobility future.