Transportation and Communication in Saudi Arabia

Transportation and Communication in Saudi Arabia

• Saudi Arabia has undergone a significant transformation in its transportation and communication infrastructure since 1932.
• Before 1932, the country lacked modern transportation facilities and had less than 30 miles of paved roads.
• Today, Saudi Arabia boasts a modern transportation network encompassing roads, railroads, air travel, marine transport, and public transportation.
• The Kingdom's communication infrastructure is also quite sophisticated, facilitating economic growth and development.
• The development of this infrastructure is particularly noteworthy due to the vast distances between Saudi cities and the challenging terrain.

Air Travel

• Saudi Arabia features three major international airports: King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dhahran, and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
• The country also has 35 regional and local airports.
• Saudi Arabia has made a significant effort in expanding its air transport facilities to accommodate the influx of Muslim pilgrims during Hajj.
• King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah serves as a primary arrival point for pilgrims with a dedicated pilgrim terminal.
• Saudi Arabian Airlines increases flight services during Hajj to accommodate the large number of pilgrims who travel by air.

Marine Transportation

• Saudi Arabia has 21 large, modern ports, playing a crucial role in industrial development.
• Approximately 12,000 ships visit Saudi ports annually (roughly one ship every 30 minutes).
• The Islamic Port of Jeddah, one of the main ports in the Middle East, handles the majority of Saudi Arabia's sea traffic and serves as an entry point for pilgrims.
• New port facilities at Yanbu Industrial City on the Red Sea have helped alleviate the workload on Jeddah and improved the efficiency of petrochemical exports.
• Other major ports include those in Dammam, Jizan, and Jubail.

Public Transportation

• The Saudi bus network, operated by the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO), offers affordable transportation within and between cities.
• It annually transports over 3 million passengers, serving major urban centers such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah, and Makkah, as well as smaller cities and towns across the country.

Railroads

• Saudi Arabia's rail network is managed by the Saudi Railway Organization (SRO).
• The existing railway network stretches between Dammam and Riyadh, with stops in Hofuf and Abqaiq.
• There are also rail lines connecting Makkah, Jeddah, and Madinah.

Communications

• The Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology oversees all modern communications technologies in the Kingdom.
• Saudi Telecommunications Company (STC), a partially privatized company, is a major telecommunications provider in Saudi Arabia and one of the largest operators globally.
• Mobily and Zain also provide mobile phone services.
• Internet usage is rapidly growing in Saudi Arabia, with increased provisioning of internet access lines to meet growing demand.

Vision 2030 and Transport and Communications

• Vision 2030, a national development strategy, is centered around three pillars: a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation.
• The Ministry of Transport and its entities are actively working to achieve Vision 2030 goals.
• Plans and initiatives focus on areas like:
  • Reducing road traffic deaths
  • Enhancing safety rates on existing and future roads
  • Improving the lifespan and performance of roads
  • Generating revenue from road assets