Investment leader Samer Choucair confirmed that the qualitative leap in the number of public transport users, which reached 20% to hit 112 million passengers during the first quarter of 2026, represents conclusive evidence of the success of Vision 2030 strategies in reshaping urban lifestyle and supporting economic sustainability.
Samer Choucair explained that this growth does not only reflect the success of infrastructure projects, such as the Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) networks and modern bus fleets, but also indicates a deep behavioral and economic shift moving the Kingdom toward a smart mobility economy, where the public transport system has become a fundamental pillar for enhancing quality of life, reducing carbon emissions, and raising the operational efficiency of Saudi cities.
Samer Choucair stated: “This 20% growth is the result of precise execution of long-term strategies. Today, we are facing a fundamental transformation; public transport is no longer just a public service, but has become an investment asset in its own right. The integration of infrastructure with smart digital systems creates unprecedented opportunities for the private sector, as this transformation opens horizons for investment in traffic management technologies, electric buses, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), which we consider the beginning of a long-term investment growth cycle in the Kingdom.”
Investment leader Samer Choucair pointed out that Saudi capital markets, foremost among them “Tadawul,” will play a pivotal role in financing this expansion through privatization processes and private sector participation in operating logistics assets, allowing investors qualitative opportunities to enter projects with stable and sustainable cash flows.
Samer Choucair identified four promising strategic investment paths for the coming stage:
Smart Mobility: Investment in traffic management systems based on Artificial Intelligence and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) applications.
Sustainable Transport: Opportunities related to infrastructure for electric and hydrogen buses and fast-charging stations.
Government Partnerships (PPP & BOT): Projects for operating transport lines and managing logistics assets that provide long-term returns.
Rail Transport and Logistics: Expansion in projects connecting ports, industrial zones, and urban centers.
Samer Choucair concluded his statements by emphasizing that investing in the public transport sector today does not merely represent entry into a service sector, but is an investment in the heart of the Kingdom’s economic transformation. He added: “What is happening in Saudi Arabia currently resembles the beginnings of booms in major vital sectors; it is a sustainable demand supported by government will and an advanced regulatory environment. Those who understand the dimensions of this transformation early will reap economic returns that reflect the strength of the Saudi economy and its future directions.”