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The Transport General Authority circulated the new directive to taxi operators across the kingdom, confirming that vehicles meeting all licensing, safety and insurance requirements may now transport passengers directly to destinations in Bahrain. This adjustment removes previous restrictions that had limited such services primarily to buses and private vehicles, according to the authority’s updated operational guidelines. The King Fahd Causeway, which opened in 1986, has served as the main land link between the two countries, facilitating both commercial and personal travel for decades. Authority data indicates the causeway processes several million passenger crossings each year, with volumes rising steadily amid strengthened Saudi-Bahraini economic ties.
The decision aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives to improve logistics and transport infrastructure, the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services reported in related planning documents. It also supports wider Gulf Cooperation Council initiatives to ease movement for citizens and residents across member states, where integrated transport networks have become a priority. Public Authority for Statistics figures place annual cross-border traffic growth at approximately 8 percent over the past five years, driven by tourism, business and family visits. The policy change is expected to create additional opportunities for the domestic taxi sector while offering travelers greater flexibility than scheduled bus services alone.
Taxis must still comply with Bahraini entry regulations, including valid visas and vehicle inspection certificates, the authority emphasized in its circular. Operators are required to use vehicles no older than five years and equipped with approved tracking systems for cross-border journeys. The General Authority for Roads, Transport and Logistics in Bahrain has coordinated with its Saudi counterpart to ensure seamless implementation at the causeway checkpoints. This bilateral arrangement builds on existing agreements that have progressively liberalized passenger and freight movement since the causeway’s expansion projects in the 2010s.
Industry representatives welcomed the measure, noting it could reduce wait times for passengers who previously relied on limited bus schedules or personal arrangements. The Saudi Taxi Association indicated that participating companies will need to update their operational permits through the authority’s digital platform before offering the service. Similar policies already exist for trips to other GCC states under certain conditions, providing a precedent for the Bahrain route. The authority has committed to monitoring initial implementation over the next three months to address any operational challenges that may arise.
The King Fahd Causeway Development Authority reported a 12 percent increase in daily vehicle traffic during peak seasons last year, underscoring the demand for diversified transport modes. Enhanced taxi services could further support the roughly 2.5 million annual visitors who cross between the kingdoms for leisure and commerce, according to joint Saudi-Bahraini tourism statistics. Officials at both ends of the causeway have upgraded facilities in recent years, including dedicated lanes for public transport and improved customs processing systems. The latest policy forms part of a series of regulatory updates aimed at modernizing passenger services across Saudi Arabia’s land borders.
