Article 2 of the Saudi Road Transport Law
المادة 2 من نظام النقل العام على الطرق
The article provides that public collective passenger transport by bus within cities and between neighboring cities is by concession for a limited period, unless the government decides to manage it itself.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يكون النقل العام الجماعي للركاب بالحافلات على شبكة الطرق العامة داخل المدن أو ما بين المدن المتجاورة بطريق الالتزام ولمدة محدودة، ما لم ترى الحكومة أن تتولى إدارته بنفسها.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 2 explained in plain English
After Article 1 defined public passenger transport by bus as a public utility, this article sets how it is operated. The rule is that public collective passenger transport by bus on the public road network:
- within cities, or
- between neighboring cities,
is by concession, a method in which the State entrusts a party (the concessionaire) with operating the utility under set conditions, and it is for a limited period, not permanently.
The text excepts one case: if the government decides to manage the transport itself, no concession need be granted.
Article 3 completes this provision by setting out how a concession is granted: it is granted by Royal Decree that sets its period at no more than fifteen years, which may be renewed or extended for a similar period by decision of the Council of Ministers on the proposal of the Minister of Transport. So operating public bus lines is not open to anyone merely because they want to, but goes through a legal framework set by the State.
Anyone who wants to enter this activity can consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases and transport laws to understand the framework that applies to them.
Practical example
An investor in Riyadh wants to operate a public bus line between Riyadh and a neighboring city. Under this article this can be done only by concession for a limited period, unless the government has decided to manage this transport itself.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentAdministrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Al-Safwa Law Office and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 2 of the Saudi Road Transport Law
How is public bus transport run within cities?
By concession for a limited period, unless the government decides to manage it itself.
Does the provision cover transport between cities?
The text covers transport within cities and between neighboring cities on the public road network.
More articles on Public Passenger Transport by Bus
- Article 1
The article treats passenger transport by buses, each built to carry at least eight people, operating regularly on a fixed route open to anyone for a set fare, as a public utility.
يعتبر من المرافق العامة نقل الركاب بالحافلات التي تعد كل منها لنقل ثمانية أشخاص على الأقل، وتعمل بطريقة منتظمة في حدود محددة وطبقا لخط سير معين وفي متناول أي شخ
- Article 9
The article requires the Minister of Transport to issue a regulation governing small taxis in a way that coordinates them with public bus operations and serves the interest of the transport service.
يصدر وزير المواصلات لائحة لتنظيم سيارات الأجرة الصغيرة " التاكسي" على نحو يكفل التنسيق بينها وبين تسيير حافلات النقل العام ، ويحقق مصلحة مرفق النقل.
- Article 10
The article exempts from the preceding provisions buses used by ministries, agencies, institutes, schools and others to carry their own personnel, as long as they are not used outside their designated purpose.
لا تسري أحكام المواد السابقة على الحافلات التي تستخدمها الوزارات والمصالح المختلفة، والمعاهد والمدارس وغيرها، لنقل منسوبيهم طالما لم تخرج عن الغرض المخصص لها.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.