Saudi Arabia’s RCU signs ‘360 Mobility’ plan services contract with RATP Dev

Credit: RATP Dev

RATP Dev has announced that it has signed a ‘360 Mobility’ services contract with the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in the presence of its CEO Eng. Amr AlMadani.

This agreement will support the definition and implementation of a comprehensive mobility strategy in AlUla, home of Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In addition, this endeavour is the result of a strong partnership between RCU and RATP Dev following the Memorandum of Understanding signing in December 2021, which entails close and active co-operation in shaping the future of mobility in AlUla that reflects Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Through this contract, RATP Dev will support RCU in developing the plans, policies, governance and infrastructure, as well as the transportation assets, of AlUla’s state-of-the-art mobility network for residents and visitors, including:

• The experiential tram project, which will connect Hegra to AlUla central (Hijaz historical railway station) and which will be the backbone of public mobility
• A full fleet of electric buses (about 200 vehicles) to serve both residents, locals and visitors
• Autonomous pods for first- and last-miles connection and heritage sites
• Soft mobility modes such as e-bikes and e-scooters
• Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) application and tariffs.

Saudi Arabia’s RCU launches autonomous pod vehicle service in AlUla

“RCU is responsibly and sustainably regenerating the cultural and natural landscape of AlUla, enhancing quality of life and creating a global, sustainable destination that is empathetic to the environment, history, culture and people of AlUla. This new agreement with RATP Dev serves those goals by protecting our past, safeguarding our present and securing our future,” said Moataz Kurdi, RCU’s Chief County Operations Officer.

“With the 360 Mobility plan, we are honoured with the trust of RCU and fully mobilised to pursue this long-term partnership. Earlier this year (2022), on behalf of the Royal Commission for AlUla, we launched the autonomous POD vehicles service in AlUla’s Old Town, serving visitors and residents. A service that has already contributed to the local community by providing job opportunities for the local, with young Saudis trained to become certified autonomous vehicle safety operators,” said Abdeljabbar Ben Salem, Senior VP – Middle East and North Africa Business Unit at RATP Dev.

Drawing on the experience of its parent company RATP Group and alongside the Royal Commission for AlUla, RATP Dev will aim to make AlUla a destination of choice and flagship of reliable safe, and environmentally friendly transport.