Article 6 of the Saudi Road Transport Law
المادة 6 من نظام النقل العام على الطرق
The article allows the Minister of Transport, by decision, to modify routes, cancel some or add new ones before or after the concession, and to add new routes to the concessionaire for the remaining period on the same conditions.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز لوزير المواصلات أن يدخل بقرار منه تغيرات على الخطوط والمناطق التي تدخل في شبكة الطرق العامة ، وذلك بتعديل خطوط السير الخاصة بها أو إلغاء بعضها أو إضافة خطوط سير جديدة، سواء كان ذلك قبل منح الالتزام أو بعده، وفي حالة إضافة خطوط سير جديدة بعد منح الالتزام يجوز لوزير المواصلات بقرار منه إضافتها لملتزم الخط أو المنطقة للمدة الباقية بذات شروط الالتزام.
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 6 explained in plain English
This article gives the Minister of Transport the power to make changes, by decision, to the lines and areas that form part of the public road network. These changes include:
- Modifying their routes.
- Canceling some of them.
- Adding new routes.
This power applies both before and after the concession is granted; the presence of a concessionaire operating the area does not prevent the Minister from modifying the lines.
If new routes are added after the concession is granted, the Minister may by decision add them to the concessionaire of the line or area, on two conditions the text mentions:
- The addition is for the remaining period of the concession.
- It is on the same conditions of the concession.
Adding to the concessionaire is optional, not mandatory; the text says "may." The article does not address the financial effects on the concessionaire of a modification or cancellation, so nothing can be inferred from it on that. This article comes after Article 5, which regulates operation by license, and Article 7, which creates the committee supervising the implementation of concessions and licenses in each city.
A concessionaire affected by a decision modifying the lines can consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases and transport laws to assess their position under their contract.
Practical example
New neighborhoods have grown up in the east of a city, and the Minister of Transport issued a decision adding a new route to serve them. He may add this route to the company that holds the concession for that area for the remaining period of its concession and on the same conditions.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 6 of the Saudi Road Transport Law
May the Minister of Transport change bus lines after the concession is granted?
Yes. He may by decision modify routes, cancel some or add new ones, before or after the concession is granted.
Are new lines automatically added to the concessionaire?
No. The Minister may by decision add them to the concessionaire of the line or area for the remaining period and on the same conditions of the concession.
More articles on Licensing Transport and Amending Routes
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.