Self Driving Taxis Set to Launch Soon in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia Designates Five Cities for Autonomous Vehicles as Riyadh Prepares for Self Driving Taxi Launch. Riyadh is set to introduce self-driving taxis, marking a major step in Saudi Arabia’s transition to a smart, AI-driven transportation future, a senior government official revealed.
Announcement by Transport Authority on Autonomous Taxi Launch
Dr. Omaimah Bamasag, Deputy of Transport Enablement at the Transport General Authority (TGA), announced the initiative during a panel discussion at the UJ 2025 Artificial Intelligence Conference, hosted by the University of Jeddah. The session, titled Smarter Cities, Smarter Services: How Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things Are Reshaping the Future, emphasized Saudi Arabia’s bold vision to integrate emerging technologies into its public infrastructure.
A Major Step Toward Smart and Sustainable Transportation
This marks a significant step forward toward a smarter and more sustainable future for the Kingdom’s transportation sector, said Dr. Bamasag.
Riyadh Leads Saudi Arabia’s Autonomous Vehicle Expansion
The Riyadh rollout is part of a broader strategy, with five cities across Saudi Arabia now designated as “self-driving friendly.” These cities are equipped with the digital and physical infrastructure needed to support autonomous vehicles, including cars, taxis, trucks, and drones.
Future Mobility Committee Driving Smart Transport Projects
To coordinate and speed up these initiatives, the Transport General Authority (TGA) has formed a Future Mobility Committee, chaired by the Deputy Minister of Transportation and comprising officials from major government agencies. The committee is managing 120 projects to modernize transportation across the country, including 16 dedicated to using artificial intelligence to advance smart mobility.
Growth of Electric Public Transit Across Saudi Cities
Dr. Bamasag also highlighted recent advancements in public transportation, noting the launch of electric bus networks in Tabuk and Jeddah. This expansion brings the total number of Saudi cities offering electric public transit services to 17.
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