The public bus system in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Public Transport Company’s (SAPTCO) public buses are an economical and practical option for getting around Riyadh if you have a limited travel budget or don’t yet have a driver’s licence.

All you need to ride a public bus in Riyadh is a SAPTCO smart card with enough money on it to cover your trip.

The bus network in Riyadh is operated, managed, and maintained by SAPTCO, a publicly owned organisation. Moreover, it serves as the primary mode of public transit in Makkah, Medina, Jeddah, and Dammam.

Here is all you need to know about Riyadh’s public bus network.

Public bus timings in Riyadh

In Riyadh, SAPTCO buses run from 5.30 am to 11.30 pm every day.

How to buy a smart card for the public bus in Riyadh

There are three options for travellers to purchase a SAPTCO smart card:

1. The ‘SAPTCO Urban Transport’ app, is available for Apple and Android devices.
2. From the bus driver.
3. SAPTCO card vending machines.

How much does the SAPTCO smart card cost?

You can buy a card for SR25 (Dh24), SR50 (Dh48), SR75 (Dh73) or SR100 (Dh97).

How to buy a digital SAPTCO smart card:

On the “SAPTCO Urban Transport” app, a smart card may be quickly purchased. This is how:

Step One: Create an account

• Download the application from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
• Open the app and select “Buy My Card” from the menu on the main screen.
• After that, you will be prompted to open an account. Enter your mobile number first. You will receive a One-Time-Password (OTP) through SMS after a brief delay.
• On the app, enter the code.
• After that, enter your email address and produce a username and password for your fresh account.

Step Two: Buy the SAPTCO smartcard online

• After setting up an account, you will be prompted to log in using it.
• After that, tap “Buy My Card” once more and choose the smart card type you desire based on price.
• Press the “Continue” button once.
• Use a credit card or debit card to make the payment online.
• Following the completion of the transaction, the app will create a virtual card with a Quick Response (QR) number and show the balance remaining on your card.

Make sure the app is open on your phone before getting on the bus. The ticket validator will read the QR code on the virtual card and deduct the fare from your balance after you hold the screen up to it.

How to recharge your SAPTCO smart card on the app

1. Use your cellphone number to log into the app.
2. On the home page, click the SAPTCO Card Operations Button.
3. Tap “Query” and enter the smart card’s 11-digit numerical code.
4. Following that, you can see your card’s balance.
5. Click “Online Recharge” to recharge.
6. Choose the amount and use your debit or credit card to make the online payment.

Bus routes in Riyadh

In Riyadh, there are seven major bus lines, and buses run on these routes every 10 to 20 minutes.

Route 7 – Al Batha (main bus stop) to King Khaled University Hospital

There are six bus stops on this route:

1. Civil Affairs
2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
3. Al Nasiriyah
4. King Khalid Grand Mosque
5. King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital

Route 8 – Al Batha to Dallah Driving School

There are five bus stops on this route:

1. Civil Affairs
2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
3. King Faisal Specialist Hospital
4. Euromarch markets
5. King Abdullah Financial District

Route 9: Public Transportation Center (Al Batha) to North Vegetable Market

There are five bus stops on this route:

1. Al Batha
2. Chamber of Commerce
3. Faisaliyah Tower
4. Kingdom Tower
5. Uwais markets

Route 10: Al Batha to Al Rawdah District

There are five bus stops on this route:

1. Central Post
2. King Faisal bin Fahd Stadium
3. Riyadh Zoo
4. Ministry of the National Guard
5. Labour Office (Al Rawdah)

Route 16: Bin Sulaiman Trading Centre to Jeddah Road Bridge

There are seven bus stops along this route:

1. Bin Sulaiman Trading Centre
2. Almaigliah Market
3. King Saud Medical City
4. Saqr Quraish School
5. Albadeah Mall
6. Al Nassr Sports Club
7. Jeddah Road Bridge

Route 17: Al Batha to Industrial City

There are seven bus stops along this route:

1. Al Batha (RADO)
2. Observatory House
3. Al Kharj House
4. Yamama Cement
5. Convalescent Hospital
6. Riyadh Cables
7. Industrial City

You must download the “SAPTCO Urban Transport” app in order to receive real-time updates and up-to-date schedules for public bus routes in Riyadh.

How to plan your trip on the SAPTCO app:

To use the app, you must first grant it permission to access your current location using the settings on your mobile device.

1. Click “Trip Planner” when the app is open.
2. After entering your starting and ending points, tap the arrow in the top right corner of your mobile device.
3. The app will then give you up-to-date information on bus schedules and routes.

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