A first-of-its-kind electric bus service has begun operations in Makkah this week, marking a major step toward sustainable public transport in the city. Developed and operated by Electromin in partnership with Umm Al-Qura for Development and Construction, the service is projected to carry more than 125 million passengers over the next 15 years. It is also expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 31,500 tonnes compared to conventional fuel-powered vehicles.
The project follows a bus rapid transit (BRT) model, offering greater capacity and reliability than traditional bus systems, and is among the earliest initiatives of its kind in Saudi Arabia. The service was officially launched on Wednesday by Amr Al-Dabbagh, chairperson of Al-Dabbagh Group; Samir Nawar, managing director of Petromin; and Yasser Abu Ateeq, CEO of Umm Al-Qura.
