Saudi public transit ridership is no longer a niche choice. New results from buses and rail show more people are using shared travel for daily trips, intercity movement, and peak religious seasons. The numbers from 2025 and early 2026 highlight a clear change in habits, supported by expanded services and more frequent operations.
One strong signal comes from urban buses. The Transport General Authority (TGA) reported more than 30.6 million passengers used urban bus services across Saudi Arabia in Q1 2026 (January to March). Riyadh led with more than 19.55 million passengers, followed by Makkah at 4.87 million, Madinah at 3.4 million, and Jeddah at 1.25 million.
The same TGA update shows momentum outside city limits too. Intercity bus services carried over 936,000 passengers in Q1 2026. More than 43,000 intercity bus trips were operated across the Kingdom during the quarter, pointing to rising comfort with bus travel between cities.
Rail Volumes Add More Proof of a Shift
Rail is also posting major growth markers. Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) logged a 7.1% increase in passenger volumes in 2025 compared with the prior year. To meet demand, SAR ran in excess of 45,000 trips across its network. Another report said more than 14 million passengers were moved across the national network over the course of 2025.
Peak travel seasons are part of the story. During the Hajj season, the Haramain High-Speed Railway carried nearly 2 million pilgrims between Makkah and Madinah, according to the same SAR-focused reporting. These large peaks matter because they test whether public transport can handle high demand while still staying reliable.
Growth is also being reported for early 2026. A rail update said Saudi Arabia’s rail services transported over 45 million passengers in Q1 2026, linking the surge to expanded urban and intercity rail services, increasing public reliance, and infrastructure investments. Separately, an Arab News report stated public transport ridership topped 420m in 2025, with 61% growth between 2024 and 2025, and a 20% increase in Q1 2026 compared with the same period last year. It also noted city bus services now operate in 17 cities and governorates, up from four in 2019.
What do the latest Saudi public transit ridership numbers show for buses?
How many people used intercity buses in early 2026?
What did Saudi Arabia Railways report for 2025 ridership growth?
How large was Haramain High-Speed Railway demand during Hajj?
How widely have city bus services expanded across Saudi Arabia?
