SAPTCO controls the land transport network in Saudi Arabia.
“The committee has no objection to this move, as the aim is to provide a consummate transport system in the Kingdom. We have received a number of requests to end SAPTCO's monopoly on land transport,” he said.
Al-Bassami noted that most minibuses providing intercity transport are owned by individuals who are given permission by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to use their vehicles commercially due to their financial situations.
“There is a dire need for intercity land transport due to the large demand for it,” he added.
However, another member of the committee, Abid bin Abdullah bin Jubara Al-Siraih, did not see the need for involving foreign investors in this sector. He believes that national transport companies are capable of meeting the needs of consumers. “If proper support is provided to these companies, they will be able to meet transport demands. There is no reason to bring in foreign investors,” he said.
According to SAPTCO figures, the company transported more than 11.9 million passengers in 2008, covering almost 12 million km.
