Saudi Arabia’s Transport Ministry (MOT) is understood to have issued a tender related to a transit-oriented development (TOD) project, sources familiar with the plan tell MEED.

It is unclear if the tender will focus on Riyadh, where a $23bn metro project is under way, or in other municipalities that are planning to procure a metro system using a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

TODs comprise commercial, residential and retail spaces in proximity to transport hubs, designed to increase public transport usage.

Several transport public-private partnership (PPP) projects, including metros, roads and bridges, are being planned in Mecca, Jeddah, Medina and Dammam.

The National Centre for Privatisation (NCP) was expected to award a transaction adviser for these schemes last year but the contract issue has been delayed.

Riyadh Metro, which is expected to be completed next year, will be the first urban rail system in Saudi Arabia in addition to Mecca’s pilgrim metro, which operates only during the Hajj.

MEED understands that the Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) has been looking to promote public transport usage with completion of the Riyadh Metro imminent. The initiatives include art contests in schools as well as visits to the construction sites.