TRANSPORT-

Uber riders in Riyadh can now book driverless cars for their trips between Roshn Front and Princess Noura University, with the ride-hailing platform launching self-driving vehicles in partnership with WeRide for the first time, according to statements from Uber and the Transport General Authority. The service uses the WeRide Robotaxi GXR model, with designated pick-up and drop-off points across the route. Each vehicle currently includes a human safety operator, with plans to transition to fully driverless operations.

IN CONTEXT- The initiative is part of Uber’s partnership with the TGA and follows the Initial Operational Phase of the Autonomous Vehicles project in July. WeRide holds Saudi Arabia’s first Robotaxi permit and completed the TGA’s Regulatory Sandbox for AV piloting and had launched a similar service on Uber’s platform in Abu Dhabi in late 2024. To date, the service has been used by more than 1k beneficiaries.

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REGULATION WATCH-

The Tourism Ministry raised fines for unlicensed hospitality operators under new regulations that went into effect Wednesday, classifying Saudi cities into two tiers based on their tourism status, the Saudi Gazette reported on Thursday.

First-tier cities and gigaprojects: In Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, Jeddah, Alkhobar, Neom, The Red Sea, Diriyah, Amaala, and Qiddiya, operating a hospitality facility without a valid license now carries a fine of SAR 250k — up from SAR 50k — with noncompliant facilities facing permanent closure until violations are corrected. The penalty for allowing others to use a tourism license now stands at SAR 60k, while fines for obstructing tourism inspectors were doubled to SAR 10k.

Second-tier cities: In Taif, Dammam, Abha, Jazan, Tabuk, Hail, Buraidah, Khamis Mushait, Jubail, Najran, Yanbu, Hafar Al Batin, Al Baha, Al Hofuf, and Sakaka, the fine of operating without a license has increased to SAR 150k. Facilities found sharing their tourism license will face a SAR 55k fine, and obstructing inspectors will result in a SAR 7k penalty.

Other hikes: All facilities are now required to respond to tourists in both Arabic and English. Persistent violations beyond seven days carry fines of SAR 6k for five-star and luxury hotels, SAR 5k for four-star hotels, and SAR 2k for lower-rated serviced apartments.

CAPITAL MARKETS-

Three funds receive regulatory approval for public offering: The Capital Market Authority greenlit the public offering of Tam Freestyle Saudi Equity Fund, Sadara Freestyle Saudi Equity Fund, and Sadara Liquidity Fund, the authority said on Thursday.

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