المملكة: “Transport” ends the chaos of foreign buses: a “local agent” is obligatory… and the prevention of “kadada” between cities

Released General Authority for TransportThe new executive regulations for the two activities of international passenger transport bBuses and the local agent of the foreign carrier, with the aim of developing and promoting cross-border transport services, and encouraging investment in this vital sector in accordance with the objectives of economic and social development, with an intense focus on raising security and safety standards for buses and passengers alike.

The new regulations oblige establishments wishing to practice international transport activity to obtain an official license from the authority for a period of three years, stipulating the provision of a main center in the licensing city and financial and technical solvency, in addition to possessing at least A minimum of five buses to carry out the activity, whether through direct ownership or financial leasing contracts, with the need to be fully connected to the authority’s electronic platform to ensure real-time data circulation.

The Authority has set a strict condition that it must not exceed The operational life of the bus used in the activity is ten years from the year of manufacture. It also imposed mandatory technical equipment that includes providing buses with usable toilets, internal overhead shelves, and a warehouse designated to accommodate passengers’ luggage in a safe and orderly manner.

The regulation emphasized the human aspect as a pillar of safety, as it required the service provider to obtain a “professional driver card” for each driver. This card requires passing a professional competency test, having no criminal records, and the driver obtaining a A valid, appropriate driving license, to ensure the highest levels of driving professionalism.

To enhance the safety of long trips, the Authority obligated carriers to provide an “assistant driver” for trips of 400 kilometers or more, with strict adherence to the approved driving and rest hours, to ensure that drivers are not exhausted and to protect the lives of travelers on international roads.

The regulation categorically prohibited international transportation service providers, whether local or foreign, from transporting passengers within or between cities in the Kingdom, limiting their activity to transportation to and from outside the Kingdom only, to prevent interference with internal transportation activities and protect the market. Local.

With regard to the foreign carrier, the regulations require the presence of a “local agent” licensed within the Kingdom to represent the foreign carrier and manage its business, so that this agent is responsible before the Authority for fulfilling obligations in the event of the foreign carrier’s default, provided that the agent has a valid license for the activity of international passenger transport.

The new legislation included clear rights for travelers, as it obligated carriers to issue travel tickets that include all flight and passenger data, in addition to issuing an official luggage statement. It clarifies their number and weight to ensure their preservation, while specifying clear mechanisms for dealing with lost items and complaints.

The Authority granted its inspectors broad powers to monitor and control violations, including the possibility of subjecting any bus to a sudden technical inspection on the side of the road in coordination with the security authorities, or requesting an exceptional periodic inspection in the event of significant accidents occurring or the bus’s odometer reaching 250,000 kilometers.

The regulations approved deterrent penalties for violators, including financial fines that It must be paid before the foreign bus leaves the territory of the Kingdom, with stakeholders being given the right to appeal before the competent committee within thirty days from the date of reporting the violation, to ensure justice and transparency in the application of the system.

The Authority concluded its regulations by emphasizing the state’s right to use international transport buses to confront emergencies or natural disasters that require the evacuation of those affected, which reflects the national and strategic dimension of the transportation sector in crises.