RIYADH – The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Jeddah Metro Company and Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO), with the aim of enhancing cooperation in transport services at King Abdulaziz International Airport Terminal 1, providing the best transport services to all segments of the society and various options for passengers for movement to and from the airport. The MoU was signed on behalf of GACA by the Director General of the General Administration for Privatization and Commercial Operation Alaa Bin Attaf Samman, on behalf of Jeddah Metro Company by its CEO Dr. Osama Bin Ibrahim Abdo and on behalf of SAPTCO by its CEO Khalid Bin Abdullah Al-Huqail at the new King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. GACA has said that the signing of the MoU emanates from the authority's keenness to make use of all that will facilitate services in all of the Kingdom's airports, provide the best services hence boosting the transport system in Jeddah and its facilities via several means. This is meant to widen the scope of choices for the passengers to travel to and from KAIA. GACA further said that it would allot a parking lot for transport buses in the departure and arrival zones in KAIA Terminal 1. In addition, an area will be allocated for constructing a station opposite the bus parking lot in the arrival area. GACA will also enable Jeddah Metro Company or its representative to carry out its role in following up the performance of services and the ensuing compliance with the bus schedules, internal and external cleanliness of the buses, and safety of its facilities and systems. In addition, it will coordinate with the government and private agencies working in KAIA to facilitate providing the bus transport services to and from Terminal 1 at the airport. In addition, Jeddah Metro Company will specify the bus routes for carrying passengers to and from KAIA Terminal 1 and at what points they can stop, issuing approvals for these in coordination with GACA, to expand the service to cover Jeddah city gradually, adding routes to the service from KAIA Terminal 1, and ensuring integrated services to all parts of Jeddah. Meanwhile, SAPTCO said it would use modern buses well equipped and prepared for this service which will have buses leaving to and from KAIA Terminal 1 at equal intervals. Every 30 minutes a bus will leave from the airport, travel via Prince Majed Street (Saba'een Street) up to King Abdullah Road. Then to the Corniche Road, to downtown Jeddah to the SAPTCO station for intercity (between cities) transport services in the case of a passenger wishing to continue his journey to other destinations in the Kingdom via SAPTCO services. The MoU has taken into consideration allocating special places for people with special needs in the services provided, and special areas for women. The buses for this service will have a special identity. They will be provided with a screen mentioning the route. Each bus has a capacity for 33 passengers. A passenger will pay SR10 per during the test run stage. This service will cater to the airport employees as well. Offers and packages will be designed to suit the needs of the clients periodically.
