Riyadh – Mubasher: Expatriates working in Saudi Arabia, who make up a large number of commuters, have welcomed the new public transport bus services launched by the Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) in Jeddah.
Passengers are awaiting the buses in SAPTCO bus stand, adjusting their timing to go their workplace based on the company’s schedule.
Commuters ignored the initial hassle as they enjoyed SAPTCO’s comfortable ride in air-conditioned buses as opposed to the earlier ill-maintained private haflas (mini buses), Saudi Gazette reported.
Moreover, office-goers are also adjusting their time to commute to their workplace according to the SPATCO bus timing.
The Public Transport Authority (PTA) has banned the private haflas (mini buses) as they did not provide the necessary safety for passengers.
Many commuters, who were unaware of the ban on haflas, gathered at designated pick-up points in Balad, Bab Sharif and Bab Makkah.
However, many passengers at the bus stand said that the time interval between two buses for the same route is about an hour, urging the authorities to increase the frequency of the shuttle service, according to Saudi Gazette.
SAPTCO has provided employees at the bus stand to answer passengers’ enquiries and help them recharge their commuter cards.
