Saudi Arabia Transport Sector 2025 Transformations Led By The Transport General Authority

Saudi Arabia’s transport sector recorded wide changes in 2025, as the Transport General Authority intensified regulatory and developmental work. These measures aimed to raise efficiency, improve passenger services, and support sustainability, in line with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

Oversight activities expanded alongside growth. The Transport General Authority carried out more than four million inspections across land, rail, and maritime services. These checks sought to ensure compliance with regulations, strengthen safety levels for users, and support the performance of every major transport mode operating within the Kingdom.

Passenger numbers increased across several systems. Ride-hailing applications handled about 142 million trips during 2025. Trains transported more than 155 million passengers over the same period. Intra-city buses carried over 97 million passengers, while inter-city bus services moved more than three million passengers between cities and regions within Saudi Arabia.

The logistics sector within Saudi Arabia’s transport sector also expanded. Deliveries exceeded 409 million shipments, while parcels surpassed 230 million. The Transport General Authority encouraged this performance by activating strategic partnerships and supporting the opening of regional headquarters for international logistics companies in Riyadh, strengthening the Kingdom’s role as a key regional logistics centre.

Maritime activity remained important for the Saudi Arabia transport sector. Jazan–Farasan ferries transported more than 492,000 passengers and around 143,000 vehicles, ensuring continued access for Farasan Island communities. The Transport General Authority also contributed to the Kingdom’s election to the International Maritime Organization, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s engagement in international maritime governance.

Smart mobility initiatives advanced within the Saudi Arabia transport sector during 2025. In mid-2025, the Transport General Authority launched autonomous passenger vehicles in Riyadh on specific routes serving important areas. The pilot project, developed with several government entities, received strong public acceptance and included plans for expanding coverage in later stages.

Environmental measures were introduced alongside smart mobility. A dedicated electric bus route began operating in Makkah under the Saudi Arabia transport sector framework. The service aimed to cut emissions on a busy urban corridor, support cleaner transport options for residents and visitors, and align operations with Saudi Vision 2030 sustainability goals for major cities.

Digital transformation progressed within the Saudi Arabia transport sector as the Transport General Authority issued more than six million standardised car rental contracts. Authorities also granted 1.2 million vehicle operating cards and 814,000 driver cards. These digital services supported clearer procedures, improved documentation, and backed the wider modernisation of the Kingdom’s transport network.

The combined results across monitoring, passenger services, logistics, maritime operations, smart mobility, and digital transformation showed how the Transport General Authority shaped the Saudi Arabia transport sector during 2025. The figures highlighted rising demand, growing logistics activity, and continued focus on safety and sustainability across different transport modes in the Kingdom.

With inputs from SPA