The Saudi Transport General Authority has recently issued new regulations for bus drivers' working and rest hours in the kingdom. These regulations aim to improve road safety, enhance the quality of services provided to users, and create a favourable working environment for drivers.

The maximum driving hours per day have been set at nine hours, with an allowance for an additional hour twice a week. Drivers' weekly working hours are not to exceed 56 hours, and the total permitted working hours over a 14-day period must not exceed 90 hours.

Rest time has been set at 45 minutes per 4.5 driving hours and 11 hours per 23 hours of driving. The weekly rest time is a continuous 45 hours for a maximum of six working days. These rules apply to all drivers and transport employees, regardless of the number of buses authorized for driving.

This decision is part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to improve road safety and public transportation services in the country. In line with this goal, the kingdom recently launched its first electric public transport bus in the city of Jeddah. The bus has a high efficiency rate, consuming less than 10 per cent electricity compared to other buses, and can travel up to 300 kilometers on a single charge.