Article 3 of the Saudi Public Transport Users Regulation

This article sets the minimum age of a passenger who uses the service alone, that is, without an accompanying person, and it distinguishes between two types of trips:

• Intercity service: the passenger must be at least thirteen years old.
• Service within cities: the passenger must be at least eight years old.

The reason for the distinction is that an intercity trip is longer and more complex, so it calls for an older age.

The condition concerns using the service alone only. The article does not stop younger children from riding; it stops them from riding by themselves. As for riding with an accompanying person, the text does not address that case with any restriction.

Under Article 1, the service covers road transport by bus, rail transport such as the metro, tram and trains, and sea transport.

This article sits alongside Article 2, which requires the service to be provided to anyone who requests it without discrimination, so the age condition is an express rule. It also connects to Article 4, which makes parents and guardians responsible for the conduct of their minor children or those under their guardianship.

Parents and guardians would do well to know these ages before sending their children on trips alone.