In its ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of government services and facilitate the lives of citizens and residents, the General Directorate of Passports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed the importance of its "Tawasul" electronic service. This service, available through the Ministry of Interior's "Absher" platform, is the ideal digital solution for users facing technical or procedural obstacles that prevent them from completing their transactions electronically, thus eliminating the need to visit passport offices and endure waiting times.

Steps to benefit from the communication service via the Absher platform

The passport office explained that the service is designed with a user-friendly and flexible interface, allowing users to submit requests to address any technical issues encountered during their transactions. To utilize the service, the following steps must be followed precisely:

• Log in to your personal account on the “Absher” electronic platform.
• Go to the main “My Services” menu.
• Click on the “Services” option.
• Select “Passports Sector” from the drop-down menu.
• Click on the “Communication Service” icon.
• Click the “Submit a new request” button.

After accessing the request form, the beneficiary must select the relevant department and the sub-service that is experiencing a problem, and must attach all supporting documents and write a detailed explanation of the problem in the designated box, after which the request will be sent to the relevant team for processing and response electronically.

Historical context and the shift from paper to digital

This ease of completing transactions was unavailable a decade ago; visiting passport offices required in-person attendance, standing in long queues, and dealing with paper documents that were susceptible to damage or loss. With the launch of the “Absher” platform, the Ministry of Interior revolutionized services, moving them from traditional service windows to smartphones. Today, the platform serves millions of users and processes thousands of transactions daily, reflecting a significant leap forward in the Kingdom’s digital infrastructure.

Communication service and the Kingdom's Vision 2030

Activating and developing the “Tawasul” service falls within the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, specifically the National Transformation Program, which aims to build a fully integrated and efficient digital government. These efforts seek to achieve a vibrant digital society where technology is harnessed to serve people, reduce bureaucracy, and elevate government performance indicators to global standards. “Tawasul” acts as a digital safety net, ensuring that beneficiaries' interests are not disrupted in the event of any malfunction in standard automated systems.

The economic and social impact of the service

The importance of this service extends beyond its technical aspects to encompass tangible economic and social dimensions. Economically, the service saves hours wasted on government transactions, thereby increasing employee productivity in both the public and private sectors. Socially, it improves quality of life by reducing traffic congestion caused by travel to passport offices and provides users with peace of mind by allowing them to process their transactions from home. The General Directorate of Passports affirms its full commitment to continuous development and to harnessing all available resources to ensure a seamless and reliable user experience for everyone.

The Riyadh Public Transport Authority has announced a comprehensive update to the operating hours of the Riyadh Metro and city buses, coinciding with the start of the holy month of Ramadan. This strategic step aims to ensure smooth traffic flow and meet the needs of residents and visitors during Ramadan, which sees a noticeable change in transportation patterns and daily life in the Saudi capital.

Riyadh train schedule during Ramadan

According to the official statement, working hours have been extended to coincide with peak Ramadan times, and the Riyadh Metro timetable is as follows:

• From Sunday to Thursday: Operation starts at 8:00 AM and continues until 2:30 AM.
• Friday: Working hours are from 11:00 AM until 3:00 AM.
• Saturday: Operation starts at 11:00 AM and continues until 2:30 AM.

Riyadh bus schedules and on-demand buses

To ensure the integration of the transport system, bus schedules have been set to cover longer periods, as follows:

• Riyadh Buses (Regular Service): Operates daily from 6:30 am until 3:00 am.
• On-demand buses (Sunday to Thursday): from 7:30 am until 3:00 am.
• On-demand buses (Friday): From 10:30 am until 3:30 am.
• Buses on demand (Saturday): From 10:30 am until 3:00 am.

King Abdulaziz Public Transport Project: A cornerstone of Vision 2030

The Riyadh Metro and Riyadh Buses project is a key component of the King Abdulaziz Public Transport Project, one of the largest transportation projects in the region and the world. The project primarily aims to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by improving the quality of life in the capital and providing reliable and safe transportation alternatives that reduce reliance on private cars.

The importance of adjusting schedules and its impact on traffic flow

This adjustment to working hours is particularly important given the nature of life during Ramadan, when social, commercial, and religious activities extend late into the night. Extending working hours until 3:00 AM facilitates access for worshippers to the Two Holy Mosques and other major mosques for Taraweeh and Qiyam prayers, and also allows shoppers and visitors to move around more comfortably, avoiding the traffic congestion that typically plagues main roads during Ramadan nights.

Through these measures, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City seeks to promote a culture of public transport, reduce carbon emissions, and provide a civilized transportation experience befitting Riyadh’s status as one of the fastest-growing capitals in the world.