Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) one of the world’s famous manufacturers of double-deck and midi buses in the UK and public transportation provider worldwide launched their first midi buses demonstration in Jeddah according to their deal with Manahil transportation company in Jeddah.

Gustavo Marqueta Siibert business development director of Alexander Dennis told Arab News that they are very proud to be a partner of one of Saudi Arabia’s famous companies for transportation, Manahil international who will be the official distributors of the Alexander Dennis buses in the Kingdom. He said they were happy to launch their product, the midi bus which is equipped with the latest technology and that the double-deck buses would arrive in Jeddah within the next two months.

Siibert announced this partnership on Tuesday at the premises of the British consulate in Jeddah. He said that they are doing this partnership with Manahil to introduce an advanced mode of public transportation in Jeddah and the rest of the Kingdom.

“We believe the citizens of Saudi Arabia are faced with a big challenge to improve the public transportation system so there is a need to introduce new and reliable buses for public transportation. These new buses are already very popular in the UK, so when we talked to the Jeddah and Riyadh municipalities along with other cities, they asked us to bring these buses here,” he said.

“Today, we have brought one bus for demonstration to show its suitability for the Kingdom,” he explained. He said that he was very optimistic that he would clinch a deal with the Jeddah municipality and that the Alexander Dennis buses would soon be seen on the Kingdom’s roads.

Siibert gave a brief introduction about the Alexander Dennis buses and their brands, noting that they had tripled the size of their business in five years and changed the transport landscape in the world.

Khalil Ahemd Alhebshi, the vice president of Manahil International said that they are doing a partnership with the Alexander Dennis because these buses are specialized for city transport.

“We think the Alexander Dennis buses are the right kind of transportation for the people of the Kingdom suited to its roads and weather conditions, as these buses with the latest technology and comfort will cover all the safety needs of the passengers,” he said.

He also said that following the announcement of the tender, the buses will be seen in the Kingdom within 5 months. “There is a need for almost 800 to 1000 buses for public transportation in Jeddah considering the increasing population in the city,” he added.

Mohammed Shoukat, the British consul general in Jeddah said it is always nice to present new partnerships between the two Kingdoms. “The main reason for gathering here today is to announce another partnership between Manahil International Co. and the British company Alexander Dennis,” he said.

“Today is a day to celebrate the start of a new partnership between the Saudi and British companies, with the introduction of a new world famous British product, the red double deck bus, that is already seen in many countries in the world,” he said.

He further said that the British consulate is already involved in the metro system of the Kingdom and as buses are also part of public transportation this partnership will be very fruitful.

“The Saudi market is based on relationship and trust so to achieve that trust it’s important to establish partnerships with the Kingdom. We are very grateful that Alexander Dennis took our advice and signed the partnership with Manahil, which will take the economic and trade relationship to new heights,” he added.