Medina Bus project

The Medina Bus project is a public transport initiative in Al-Madina Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia. Aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals¹, the project seeks to enhance urban mobility in the city by reducing traffic congestion and pollution due to vehicular emissions and creating pedestrian-friendly areas near the Prophet’s Mosque².

The project features an expansive network consisting of 27 buses, 106 primary and subsidiary stations, and 6 main routes around the city³. Key features of the new public transport services include frequent stops to enhance accessibility, servicing vital city areas, and interconnecting routes to improve citywide mobility. Scheduled bus services are introduced to cater to the needs of the users⁴, running 16 hours a day (6:00 am – 10:00 pm) seven days a week, thus easing traffic flow on the roads of Al Madinah⁵. The bus fleet includes both conventional and electrical buses with amenities and safety features, and is customized to serve people with special needs^{6 7}.

The bus network facilitates travel for pilgrims, residents, and visitors, especially during Ramadan, linking key locations not only at the city level but also the region of Medina, including Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Quba Mosque, Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Haramain Railway Station⁸. Powered by solar energy, with over 80 solar-powered points, the bus stop includes additional interactive facilities, such as a display screen indicating the station’s name, a map showing the route and a service schedule stop column⁹. Communication is facilitated through the Madinah bus website and app.

The project was launched by Al Madinah Region Development Authority and operated by the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO)¹⁰. The Authority received its first new buses in August 2022¹¹. The Authority is currently in the process of implementing a BRT systemⁱ to enhance the mobility of the city further¹².