Saudi transport chief elected MENA president of global body
RIYADH: The acting president of Saudi Arabia's Public Transport Authority has been elected president of the International Association of Public Transport for the MENA region.
Rumaih bin Mohammed Al-Rumaih was selected in a vote during the association's summit in Hamburg, Germany, this week. He will occupy the role until 2028.
Al-Rumaih was selected for his expertise in developing modern transport systems, leading national projects and representing Saudi Arabia in international forums, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Having previously served as CEO of the Saudi Railway Company and president of the Transport General Authority, Al-Rumaih has a track record of working to improve the sustainability and quality of transport in urban settings.
'I am delighted to be with you today, and to start this new phase of work with a distinguished team that brings together a number of leaders and professionals,' he said during the conference.
'I believe that public transport is not just about infrastructure, but about experience, justice, accessibility, and sustainability.
Al-Rumaih highlighted the success of the Riyadh Metro system, which became fully operational earlier this year.
He said that the metro is witnessing high rates of usage and is changing commuter behavior in the capital.
'When we provide appropriate transportation services that are clean, safe, accessible, and reliable, people respond to and adapt to them,' he said.
Al-Rumaih also spoke about how building sustainable and people-centered transport systems requires collaboration between governments, operators, the private sector, and civil society.
'The International Association of Public Transport has always been a driver of this collaboration and will grow in importance in the years to come.'
Al-Rumaih also highlighted the findings of the MENA Transport Report 2025, which assessed trends in the industry in 40 cities across 14 countries in the region.
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